Richard Mertig

     Richard “Dick” Alan Mertig, 79, of Black River Falls passed away peacefully June 13, 2022. He was born March 20, 1943, in Milwaukee to Richard August and Laura Fredricka Mertig. He married Kathleen Ann Drmolka Aug. 24 1968, in Wild Rose.

     In 1945, he moved to Hayward with his parents and graduated from Hayward High School in 1961. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in January 1966, with majors in biology and resource management. 

     Richard was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from 1966 to 1998, and was stationed in Wild Rose, Horicon and Black River Falls. Furthermore, Richard was one of the earliest employees of The Bureau of Real Estate, created in 1973. He continued on and retired in 1998 as a Western Region real estate specialist. 

     In addition to his civilian life, Richard served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. He was stationed in Waupaca, Stevens Point, Neillsville and Black River Falls. He provided support in the Milwaukee Race riots and Madison Anti-War Riots during 1967. 

     Through continued faithfulness to his community, Richard served three terms (nine years) on the Black River Falls City Council and three years on the Black River Falls Regional Police Commission. He was also a member of the Black River Falls Jaycees for five years and received the Key Man Award in 1972. His presence extended further into the Black River Falls Lions Club for 45 years, where he was president from 1984 to 1985, program chairman for 20 years and the recipient of the Melven Jones Award in 2011.

     After retirement from the Wisconsin DNR, his time was spent attending car shows throughout the Midwest and painting house interiors. He also worked for the Jackson County Circuit Court as a small claim’s mediator, was a member of the State Lawyer Regulation Committee and was a court appointed personal representative for several contested estates. 

     Richard enjoyed Canadian fishing trips with his friends, traveling with his family, car shows and gardening. After Lions Club meetings, you would often find him rehashing discussions at the Skyline Golf Course bar. On the other hand, it was acknowledged that he disliked large crowds, mean people and the occasional discussion of radical self-serving politics. 

     He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children Laura Mertig (Gene Arentz) of Onalaska, Jeffrey Mertig of Chippewa Falls and Daniel Mertig (Tina Proeber) of Savannah, GA; grandchildren Adam and Owen Pfaff, Dillon and Dustin Arentz, Jillian and Jayton Mertig and Lily and Jack Mertig.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Laura. 

     A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 24, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Skyline Golf Course (612 N. 11th Street Black River Falls). 

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferably directed to Friends of the Black River, Black River Falls Lions Club, PBS TV and Radio and Kathy’s House (9101 West Doyne Ave Milwaukee, WI 53226).