Vernon Richmond

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Vernon Richmond, loving husband and father of two children, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 94.

Vernon was born on April 16, 1928, and spent his childhood, raised his family, and retired all in Stevens Point, WI.  He married his devoted wife, Dolores Richmond, on December 1, 1956.  Together, Vernon and Dolores raised two children, Ed and Mary, and had a wonderfully long marriage lasting 63 years.  He lived his whole life in the house his father and grandfather built for the Richmond family.  At age 88, Vernon experienced a late-in-life joy when he first became a Papa to his spirited grandson, Cole.

Vernon's life was full of devotion to his family.  He took dutiful care of his mother and younger siblings early in his life and then his wife and his children later in life.  Showing up for his family when they needed him was the guidepost to how he led his life.  Vernon was a man of few words but spoke very loudly through his acts of service and care for his family and friends.  His service to his family started when he was just a boy in the way he helped his grandmother and uncles on their family farm every summer.  Vernon was a primary caregiver to his mother and his mother-in-law, Clara, at the end of their lives.  He was tirelessly present and caring for his wife as she passed way three years ago.  Vernon was the rock of the Richmond family through his quiet strength of character.

For forty years, Vernon was a telegraph and radio operator for the Soo Line.  He loved trains and shared his love of trains with his family.  Vernon was blessed with a 36-year retirement.  He was amazing at keeping himself busy with activities that interested him.  First and foremost, Vernon was an avid fisherman, especially trout fishing.  If it was a beautiful day in the spring, summer, or fall, you'd find Vernon on the water in his 50 year old small aluminum fishing boat.  He loved that boat!  He also loved bowling; he found that bowling was best paired with a glass of J. Bavet brandy, served "water no ice."  During their retirement, Vernon and Dodo would pair up with their siblings and in laws to travel the country together.  When Vernon wasn't fishing or bowling, he would be hunting, golfing, and water skiing.  Towards the end of his life, Vernon's favorite pastime was showing his grandson his love of fishing and his hunting land in Amherst, WI.

Vernon's final message to those he loved: "Good memories of a great family."  Vernon is survived by a daughter, Mary Bernhagen, and son-in-law, Cliff; a son, Ed, a daughter-in-law, Kelsey, and a grandson, Cole; two sisters-in-law, Laura and Barb, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores "Dodo", three brothers, Fritz, David, and Harry, and one sister, Doris.  From his canine family, Vernon was preceded in death by Wigs, Dewey, Spade, Libby, and Boo.

In lieu of flowers, the family plans to set up charitable donations to causes important to Vernon.  Information for how to donate will be released by the family at a later date.

Graveside services for Vernon will be held on Friday April 28, 2023, at 10:30a.m. at St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Stevens Point. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com