Richard H. "Gilly" Gilgenbach, Sr.

Richard H. Gilgenbach, Sr., 69, of Fond du Lac, died Monday, August 7, 2017 at home. He was born in Fond du Lac on September 24, 1947 to Harold and Rosie (Huebner) Gilgenbach. On July 12, 1969, he married Sharon Scholl at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. From 1967-1969, Richard served in the U.S. Army, 39th Engineers Battalion, including a tour in Vietnam, specifically at Chu Lai LZ Baldy.



Richard was a member of American Legion, Trier Puddy Post #75, VFW Post #1904 and was a past president of the Vietnam Club. He played baseball in the Mercury Marine League, bowled throughout the city, including many tournaments and played cards every other week with his good friends. He loved to golf and fish, taking trips to Canada in addition to spending time on his beloved Lake Winnebago. Richard was a huge Packer’s and Brewer’s fan. He was the Union Steward for Local Lodge 1947 and a member of District 10.



On June 27, 1989, Richard received a new heart, making him one of the longest living heart transplant recipients from St. Luke’s in Milwaukee.



Survivors include his wife, Sharon; 4 sons, Richard, Jr. (Michelle), Scott (Jo), Todd (Jennifer) and Harold “Chip” (Anna); 10 grandchildren, Zachary, Jaidyn, Jenna, Carson, Madalyn, Nickolas, Cooper, Natalie, Rylee and Milena; his mother, Rosie Gilgenbach, a sister, Nancy (Terry) Schmitz; an uncle, Ray Gilgenbach; a nephew, Jeff (Patty) Seckar; a niece, Angela (Scott) Dowidat; and many special friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold; his wife’s parents, Clarence (Katherine) Scholl; brother-in-law, John Seckar; uncle, Arnie Huebner; and 2 aunts, Emma (George) Walter and Bernice Gilgenbach.



Memorials may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project.



Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2017 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Parish, 271 4th Street Way in Fond du Lac with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM and continuing until the time of service. Burial will follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors presented by the U.S. Army and the American Legion, Trier Puddy Post #75.



The family would like to thank Dr. Litman of Aurora-Fond du Lac, the heart transplant team and cardiology team at St. Luke’s, the staff at ManorCare, DaVita of Fond du Lac and the Aurora Hospice team, for all their wonderful care and support throughout the years. In addition, the family would like to thank all of the family and friends for their thoughts, prayers and support over the years.