Richard Henry Zeithaml, age 90, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin died Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Dove Healthcare West.
Dick was born on May 12, 1934, in Bainbridge Township, Geauga County, Ohio to parents Joseph and Florence (Dietz) Zeithaml. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1952. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, earning honors as a Distinguished Military Student and member of the Mershon Military Honorary Society. Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1965 (including ROTC, Reserve, and Active duty) and attained the rank of Captain.
Dick began his career in telecommunications at the age of 16. He was hired to help rebuild downed lines and poles and restore telephone service in rural Northeastern Ohio after a heavy spring snowstorm. That led to part-time work with the local telephone company all through high school and college. Upon graduating from college, he was hired by AT&T (formerly Ohio Bell Telephone Company) where he worked for the next 36+ years, achieving the level of District Manager. He had several different positions within AT&T and also worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey during his career. He retired from AT&T Real Estate Management/Building Operations in Ohio in 1993.
Dick married Jean Crownhart on October 2, 1982, at Sacred Heart Church in Elmwood, Wisconsin. They lived in Akron, Ohio for over 10 years before retiring to the Town of Tainter, Dunn County, Wisconsin in 1993. They built a home overlooking Upper Tainter Lake, were involved in volunteerism, and traveled extensively. When they downsized to a condo in Eau Claire in 2013, they called it their “second retirement.
Dick was a developer of the Town of Tainter Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 1998-2001, and a Town of Tainter Land Use Planning Commission Member, 2001-2006. He also served on the Tainter/Menomin Lake Improvement Association Board of Directors, 1995-2005. He served as a state and local leader of the AT&T Pioneers community service organization, serving as President of the AT&T Pioneers Wisconsin Life Member Council, 2000-2002. As a member of Elmwood Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he served as Finance Council Chair and Parish Council member, 2000-2010, and Eucharistic Minister and Knights of Columbus member. Previously, Dick was active in Rotary International, serving as President of the Northampton Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio, 1990-1991, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Dick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean; four children of a previous marriage: Richard A. (Aimee) Zeithaml, Carrie (Jesse) Monk, Katherine Filter, and Anne Morris; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Kathleen (David) Krings; brothers-in-law David Crownhart and Daniel (Carlota) Crownhart; cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother Donald (Beverly, Lillian) Zeithaml, and two sisters Gail Russell and Joan Ruth Zeithaml (in infancy).
The family wishes to thank the staff of Dove Healthcare Orchard Hills Assisted Living, Dove Healthcare West skilled nursing, and Mayo Clinic Hospice Services for their excellent care and being our extended family over the past two years
Funeral Mass was held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire with Rev. Thomas Kreig officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery-Farm Hill in rural Elmwood with Military Honors provided by the Elmwood American Legion Post 365. Visitation was from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
The funeral was live streamed at youtube.com/@stjamesparisheauclaire and the Rhiel Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorials are preferred in Dick’s name to the non-profit you are most passionate about.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at rhielfuneralhome.com.
