Sunday, October 6, 2024

Washburn High School

Class of 1956 - In Memory Of

Lindholm, Richard

Richard F. Lindholm, age 74, of Hudson, Wis., died on Monday, June 18, at his residence, after a 2-year battle with cancer.

Rich was born April 25, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minn., to parents Frederick E. and Thelma L. (Offley) Lindholm. Growing up, he lived with his family above their hardware store at 3740 Minnehaha Ave. S. and in south Minneapolis. Rich attended Minneapolis's Washburn High, and went on to earn both his BS in mechanical engineering and his MBA from the University of Minnesota. On Dec. 17, 1960, at Lake Harriet Christian Church, Rich would be united in marriage to Sheryl Gaddis. Their union in marriage would be blessed with two sons, Timothy and Stephen.

Rich's first job out of college was with Gould National Batteries. He would join the 3M Company in 1963, where working as an engineer, and later as a manager, provided Rich with many happy work experiences. His work projects took him on travels to many foreign countries, and later serving as a plant superintendent took him to Brookings, S.D., for 7 years, and Brussels, Belgium, for 5 years. After 33 years of service, Rich retired from 3M in 1996.

As an engineer, Rich was a "Mr. Fixit" type who could fix most anything. He enjoyed working with fellow 3M retirees on Habitat for Humanity projects in the St. Paul area. Rich also refurbished old computers for SPUG, the Sarasota Personal Computers Users Group. Once refurbished, these computers were then distributed to needy students and their families through the Sarasota, Fla., school system. Also while in Florida, Rich volunteered his time weekly tutoring students, helping them with their upper level math and algebra, as well as physics. Other favorite activities of Rich's include being with his grandchildren, participating in church activities, golfing, camping, fishing, annual pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota, downhill skiing with buddies Bob and Leo in Colorado, traveling, and boating on the St. Croix, where he would also take bi-monthly water samples for the Metropolitan Council.

Rich is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheryl; sons, Timothy (Kathy) Lindholm of Old Snowmass, Colo., and Stephen (Paola) Lindholm of Brussels, Belgium; grandchildren, Jari and Soren, and Sara; brother, David (friend of the family Ruth Beastrom) of Minneapolis; sister-in-law, Vicki (Tom) Engel of St. Croix Falls, Wis.; nieces, Kacia Engel, M.D. and her husband, Troy Fiesel, and Keeli (Andy) Edwards; and numerous cousins and friends. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Thelma Lindholm, and his parents-in-law, Gene and Doris Gaddis.

A memorial service for Richard F. Lindholm is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine St., Hudson, with Pastor Stephanie Anthony officiating. A time for gathering and visitation will take place 1 hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine St., Hudson WI 54016. A private family burial was held at the Sunset Cemetery of Minneapolis, Minn.

Services entrusted to the O'Connell Family Funeral Homes and the Countryside Crematory, Hudson, WI - 715-386-3725, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Hudson Star Observer June 22nd, 2012.

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