Peeples, Richard D.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5809
• Obituary: 10 Nov 2008; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Richard Dole Peeples, 84, Wauwatosa, died on Nov. 8, 2008, at Golden Living Center at Bradley in Milwaukee, after a determined battle with lung disease in the last years of his life. He was born on June 18, 1924, in Oak Park, Ill., to the late Cornelius James Peeples and Mary Florine Thielens Peeples.
Richard was passionate about his lifelong career as an architect. After serving in the Army and being a prisoner of the German Army in World War II, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana and graduated in 1949. He did graduate work at Fountainebleau, France in 1950. At Illinois, he enjoyed his involvement with Delta Tau Delta and a subsequent 50-year affiliation with the fraternity. His architectural career took him to Appleton, Chicago, Wauwatosa, Colorado, Florida, Spain and Venezuela. Of the many homes, churches, schools, hospitals and office buildings he designed, he took great pride in his work as one of the architects on the Bertrand Goldberg-designed Marina City twin towers in Chicago that opened in 1964/1965, designing Appleton East High School in Appleton, Wis., and designing a residence for the Sjostrom family in Green Lake, Wis.
He married Dolly June Joachim in 1957 and they remained devoted to one another for 51 years. Together, they raised three sons, Scott (Mary) Peeples, Appleton; Cornelius (Frances) Peeples, Bend, Ore.; and Joshua (Kelly) Peeples, Milwaukee. Grandpa Peeples had a glimmer in his eye for each of his grandchildren, who range in age from one to 15, Maria Katherine, Jenna Marie, Connor Richard, John (Jack) Scott, Maddox Sun and Ryland Devoe. He is also survived by his siblings, Persis Jane Cline and Edward T. Peeples.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and two of his siblings, Cornelius J. Peeples II and William A. Peeples.
He captured his traumatic experience at three prisoner of war camps during World War II in the book "Hold At All Cost", which contains personal accounts of American soldiers of the 42nd Rainbow Division in the two world wars. He received the Purple Heart for injuries received overseas.
Along with his wife, Richard was a passionate advocate for improving his community, helping people with disabilities and promoting civic engagement. He was active in the life of his church, Wauwatosa Presbyterian, for over 30 years. He received the Jefferson Award for public service and the George Hixon Award from the Kiwanis Club of Wauwatosa, where he was past president. He was Exalted Ruler of the Appleton Elks Lodge in 1971.
Richard sang with the Cudworth Chorus of the American Legion. He reveled in the history of his ancestors and had an affinity for the Scottish. Well-studied in family history, he was named for his first American ancestor who came to Massachusetts from England in 1639 at age 15. Independent and committed to his ideals, Richard always said he would never retire from the profession that he adored from the time he was a child. And he never did. Plans for an addition to their home remained unfinished on his drawing table at the time of his death.
Visitation is Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Visitation continues Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, from 1 p.m. until time of Service at 2 p.m. at WAUWA-TOSA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 2366 N. 80th Street, Wauwatosa. Interment Wauwatosa Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated.
SCHMIDT & BARTELT
Funeral & Cremation
Services
10121 W. North Avenue
Wauwatosa
414-774-5010
www.schmidtand
bartelt.com