Dick Daniels

Dick Daniels was born on May 25, 1919 in Seymour, WI.  He was the son of Ralph and Genevieve (Schweger) Daniels.  Dick had one older brother Dan.  The family lived on a farm in Seymour until moving to Green Bay where Dick graduated from Green Bay West High School.

 

On January 23, 1941 (on a bitterly cold day), Dick was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” Bobb at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano.

 

Five days later Dick was inducted into the United States Army and served the next 4 ½ years as a member of the 61st Coast Artillery and then Battery A of the 634th AAA AW Battalion.  Dick’s time in service took him from Fort Sheridan Illinois, to Iceland, England, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany.  He took part in major battles including landing at Normandy (D-Day + 7 days), the Battle of the Bulge, defense of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, and the German surrender.  He made friends wherever he went and would have as much fun as he could get away with.  He was discharged on July 2, 1945 and was awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver Battle Star (5 Battle Campaigns – Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe), and six Overseas Service Bars.

 

After the war Dick built a house in Shawano, raised a family with Connie, and worked in the Dairy Service Industry until retirement.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Knights, Golden K Kiwanis Club, Shawano American Legion Post #117 (where he served not only as a Post Commander but also as their resident handy man and also a popular bartender),

and the 40 & 8.

Dick lived his life based on his faith in God and service of others.  He and Connie raised two boys and three girls.  Their family expanded to include many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends and neighbors who were all considered family.   Dick cooking T-bone steaks on a huge charcoal grill on Christmas Day followed by singing Christmas carols around the piano became a long-standing family tradition.  He had an infectious laugh and was a great storyteller.

In many of the letters Dick wrote to Connie during the war, he would end the letter with:

      “Till next time and with oceans of love, ”Shouts and Whispers”.  I’m missing you’uns and loving you with all of my heart! Always and All Ways, So Long, Dick”