Michael Patrick 'Rick' Rappe

Rick Rappé passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, February 6th at the age of 77. Dad was a writer who valued the power of words. We've tried to honor that here-sharing with you not how he left us, but how he lived.

Rick was born in Hillsboro, Illinois to Patrick Aloysius and Mildred Julia (Judy) (Johnson) Rappé. The oldest of four, Dad fondly recounted early memories of playing with cousins on the farm of Grandpa Dallas and Grandma Matilda Rappé in Taylor Springs, Illinois. (Population 600).

In his early teens, his family moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin where at age 15 he first spotted a pretty girl named Gail Ann Tschudy at Brookfield Central High School. He was smitten. They graduated together in June 1966, and he followed her to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Rick and Gail married in the summer of 1969, and for the next 57 years, she was his everything.

Together they raised the three of us: Jessica (born 1970), Michael Jedidiah (Jed) (born 1977), and Justin (born 1985). They built their life first in suburban Milwaukee, and moved the family to Plymouth, Minnesota to pursue the expansion of Dad's telecommunications company. After Teletech Resources was sold, Rick remained in the telecom industry in various leadership roles through the '90s.

In retirement, Rick and Gail eventually moved to Hudson and later Roberts, Wisconsin (also population 600 at the time) - each move bringing them closer to the rivers, fields and small-town living that Dad relished. He was happiest in his waders on the Rush River, with an original custom-built bamboo rod in hand and just the right fly tied on.

But fly fishing was just one passion in a life of diverse interests. An inventor at heart, he was always curious, always tinkering. Rick was an accomplished archer and became a sought-after expert in vintage bow restoration, publishing several books on the subject. He built golf clubs and found special camaraderie with his "Friday Boys" at Badlands Golf Club. He was a nurturer of bonsai trees. A fountain pen fanatic. An avid collector of guns, coins, watches and bows. Proud DIY dentist. Substitute grade school teacher when Gail was in a pinch. Willie Nelson wannabe. And in homage to a favorite Piano Man, he was an aspiring novelist, who always had time for his wife.

Without a doubt, one of his greatest joys was being Poppy to Lorelei, Thorstyn, Josephine, Elliot and Harlow Rappé, and Gavin Nelson. He taught the grandkids to notice details. The way light hits water. How a good tool feels in your hand. Why patience matters when you're waiting for a fish to rise. He was generous with his time and stories, and they adored him.

Rick is survived by his beloved Gail, his children Jess, Jed (Ambre) and Justin, and his grandchildren; his brothers David Rappé (Marie Thierfelder) and Timothy (Andrea) Rappé. He was preceded in death by his parents and his little sister, Lori Ellen Rappé. Special gratitude to our care angel Jennifer Klingbeil who brought beautiful companionship and common sense to Rick's life (and ours) when they were needed most.

Asked how he wanted to be remembered, our Dad once wrote:

"He was liked by dogs and little kids. He made sense. Give him a manual and a Swiss Army knife and he'd do brain surgery. He appreciated good tools. Unless he could hunt or fish with it, he gave little value to things. He loved his family, and it was always an adventure."

Mission accomplished. The family will honor Rick's life privately, releasing him back to the outdoors where he found peace. Friends and family are invited to share a favorite memory of Rick on his tribute page.

Arrangements are entrusted to O'Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.