Richard Barringer

ASHLAND, Wis. - Richard Barringer passed away March 18, 2023, peacefully in his sleep while on his annual Arizona winter retreat with his wife, Rita.

Born Dec. 5, 1940, in Wakefield, Michigan, to Sidney and Mary Barringer, Richard was a proud graduate of Wakefield High School with the class of 1958. Upon graduation, Richard joined the U.S. Air Force at 17, where he was a power plant operator with duties in Alaska. Later, he served in the Michigan National Guard based in Ironwood, Michigan, for six years, where he achieved the rank of SPC/E-5.

Richard had a memorable work history. A talented draftsman, he worked for Crane Packing, the AB Dick Company and the Smith Corona corporation. Eventually, he became an ad executive for the Daily Globe and retired as the general manager for the North Country Sun and Evergreen Shopper. Richard loved traveling to and visiting with local businesses in northern Wisconsin and the western U.P. to discuss layouts and promotions for the paper.

An avid outdoorsman, Richard explored the U.P. as a young man trapping and trout fishing. In later years, one of his favorite annual events was going to his best friend Robbin's deer camp along with his son, Jimmy. Coin collecting and metal detecting were his passions, as well. Gardening and planting trees was a lifelong hobby. During visits to Richard and Rita's home in Ashland, you were always greeted to a tour of the extensive trees, plants and vegetables he had planted and nourished over the years. His trees are still growing in Wakefield where he formerly resided, in Ashland, his current home, and also in his daughter's and granddaughter's yards.

Richard was a family man and community oriented. He was instrumental in the development and operation of his daughter, Stacey's child care center, "Children by Design," in Bessemer. He would often stop by in its years of operation for visits with his two grandchildren along with fresh fruit from his beloved fruit trees for all. He was a lifelong Lions Club member, first in Bessemer and eventually becoming a charter member of the Ashland Lions Club. He was a recipient of the Birch-Strum Fellowship award which recognized his unselfish dedication to the humanitarian projects of the Wisconsin Lions Club Foundation.

The last 15 years, he and his wife became proud "snowbirds" during the winter months in Arizona. They enjoyed spending time with all of the friends they made, playing bingo, taking scenic boat tours and hiking the mountain trails with his brother and fellow snowbird Dean were among his favorite things to do.

Richard will be remembered by all who knew him as a good man and great role model, with a strong work ethic. He had a natural way of telling stories that captivated his audience, regardless of the subject. Once he began a story, we would be enthralled and laugh as hard as the last time we heard the story. His stories and way of expressing them will forever be missed by all.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Mary (Wuorinen) Barringer; sisters, Janet Pezzetti and Judy Barbacovi; and niece, Jeanette Barbacovi.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rita (Wazkowski) Barringer; brother, Dean (Jan) Barringer; his daughters, Stacey Barringer (Joe) and Sheryl Peterson (Dave); and sons, Robert Barringer and Jimmy Peterson. He is further survived by grandchildren, Garion Richard Strasburger (Brittanie B and Addy), Brittany (Kyle) Pallin, Laura Wilber, Justin Wilber, and Mathue, Kaleb and Audrianna Barringer; nieces and nephews, Julie Pezzetti, Ashley Konicki and Brody, Johnny Barbacovi, Samantha Barringer-Scrudato and Nick, Vincent and Ben, Stephanie Barringer-Dayton and Nate; and his first great-grandchild, daughter of Brittany and Kyle Pallin, will be born this May.

A service and celebration of life will be announced at a later date.