RICHARD G. VOS

Richard G. Vos, 85, Burlington, died Dec. 28, 2013, at his home. He was born in Burlington, July 9, 1928, to the late Alvin and Jessie (Hockings) Vos. He was educated in Burlington schools and attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, majoring in accounting.

The first eight years of his business career, he was employed in the accounting department of Wisconsin Electric Power Co., Milwaukee, followed by four  years working for a Certified Public Accounting firm in Lake Geneva. In 1961 he opened his Public Accounting office in Burlington, which he operated for 29 years, retiring in August 1990, when he sold the practice to his son Michael.

On May 26, 1951, he married Betty A. Murphy to begin a lifetime of happiness. They were blessed with six children and five grandchildren and family played a huge part in life’s enjoyment.

Survivors include his wife; children, Michael (Laura Jonas) Vos, Scott  (Jane) Vos, Gail Vos, Deb Vos, Terry (Joe) Harvey, Kathy  (Wayne) Madro;  grandchildren, Ryan and Katelin Murphy, Sam (Kimberly) Vos, Max Vos and Mitchell Vos; and sister, Pat (Bob) Hetzel.

He was further preceded in death by his brother, William R. Vos.

He was involved in various community activities during his lifetime including member of Burlington Kiwanis Club, chairman of the Boys and Girls Committee which initiated Pony League baseball in Burlington, co-chairman of the Burlington Community Chest Drive, a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, served as Trustee-Parish Council, chairman of Browns Lake Men’s Golf Association, member of Lakeview Landing Condominium Association serving on Board of Directors, as treasurer and as chairman of Finance Committee. In 1962 he ran for public office and was elected to the Burlington City Council as alderman representing the 3rd ward.

Music was a big part of his life even though he never played a musical instrument. He thoroughly enjoyed listening to music and seemed to have a special sense, which allowed him to feel the music. He learned to dance at an early age and had great rhythm. He often said, if he were to come back for a second life it would be as a “Song and Dance Man.” He  was an avid golfer and fisherman and a charter member of the Thursday Golf Group. After retirement winters were spent in Bonita Beach, Fla., which he always said was to please his loving wife. They both enjoyed those days very much – Rich could fish and could also golf all winter with the same foursome he played with during the summer in Wisconsin. He caught fish all over the continent. He owned a boat and fished Lake Michigan for trout and salmon, Lake Erie for walleyes, fly-in camps in Ontario, Can., for walleyes, fly-in camps in Northern Saskatchewan, Can., for trophy northern and all kinds of different species in Florida. One of his highlights was an eight-foot sailfish deep-sea fishing in the Pacific off ZihuataneJo, Mexico, which he had mounted and hangs on the wall in his garage.

He enjoyed most sports and attended many Packer, Wisconsin Badger and Notre Dame games and of course tailgating was a must. One of his favorites was high school football and following his grandsons playing careers. He would tell the story about his playing days after graduating from high school in 1946 and playing for a Burlington semi-pro team that received national recognition. After defeating a team from northern Illinois 122 to zero the Associated Press picked up the story and it appeared in the newspapers all over the country. He only played on defense but as the story goes, he even scored a touchdown by recovering a fumble in the end zone.

A few of the other things that brought happiness to his life were his golfing vacations to the Bahamas, cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean Islands and the mini vacations to the “musical theater” in Chicago and New York.

A Memorial Mass is Saturday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jim Volkert officiating. A gathering celebrating Richard’s life will follow mass. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Burlington, is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Parish, toward the debt reduction.

Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.