Retired Stratford High School teacher and long time Stratford area resident, Richard L. “Dick” Sawyer, passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at House of the Dove in Marshfield.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford where military rites will be performed by the VFW Post #6352 – Stratford at 5:00 pm.
Richard was born on June 10, 1932 in Waukesha to Albert and Lucy (Maas) Sawyer. He graduated from Mukwonago (WI) High School. Richard later enlisted in the US Navy serving on an artillery supply ship and a fuel tanker during the Korean Conflict. Richard was the recipient of multiple medals including the National Defense Service, Good Conduct, China Service, United Nations Service, and Korean Service Medals of Honor. It was during his tours of duty that he discovered his calling to become a teacher.
After his Naval career, He attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on the GI bill where he met the love of his life, Beverly J. Bullard. After graduation, Richard applied for and was accepted for a position teaching chemistry, physics and math at Stratford in 1960. Dick and Bev were united in marriage June 16, 1962 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford. She passed away on March 18, 2011.
Dick enjoyed fishing hunting and building bird houses after his retirement from Stratford High in 1994.
He is survived by his son, Dean Sawyer of Stratford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his son, Mark Sawyer, brother, William Sawyer, and sister, Doris Seese.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to House of the Dove, Compassus Hospice, and Stratford EMS.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com.
