Richard “Dick” LeRoy Dagnon
Richard “Dick” LeRoy Dagnon, of Prairie du Chien, formerly of Platteville, died Jan. 18, at the age of 78.
He was born Oct. 20, 1939, to Harold and Laura (Copas) Dagnon in Boscobel. He met his wife, Eunice Curtis in high school. Upon graduating from Wauzeka High School, Dick enlisted in the Air Force, serving from 1958–1964. Dick and Eunice were married in 1959 and moved to London, England, where he was stationed. He was also stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb., in the Strategic Air Command as a communications specialist.
Upon his discharge from the military, Dick and Eunice moved to Platteville, where Dick took a job working for Le Moines Shoe Store. He worked as the Manager of the store until he purchased the business in 1980. He closed the shoe store and retired in 2005, 42 years a downtown businessman.
Dick was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and target shooting all of his life and sharing his love of the outdoors and firearms with his family and community. He was a competitive marksman, participating in indoor rifle teams as well as trap and silhouette competitions throughout his life. He was one of the first Hunter Safety Instructors certified to teach in the State of Wisconsin. During his 40-year tenure, he taught over 3,000 students to safely use a firearm.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Platteville, serving on many committees and councils over the years, he was a member of the Odd Fellows, serving as the Grand Noble.
Dick is survived by his wife Eunice; daughters Pam (Ross) Ritchie, of Prairie du Chien, and Paula (Ron) Reif, of Raleigh, N.C.; six grandchildren Gabe (Tori) Ritchie; Somer (Brian) Clark, Kristy Knoble, Tisha (Chad) Trautsch, Austin Reif and Grace Reif; 15 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; a sister Shirley (Rich) Emery; a brother-in-law Dale (Bette) Curtis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Lippman, father Harold Dagnon, and step-fathers Jim Martin and Harold Lippman.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the wonderful caring staff at Crossing Rivers Assisted Living; Crossing Rivers Hospital; Crossing Rivers Hospice nurse Alex; and Tri-State Ambulance. Special appreciation to Pam Myhre, Palliative Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Matt Olson, for their care over the last several years.
Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, 1245 N. Water St., Platteville. Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Chapel military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Friends may call from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Richard Dagnon Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.
