The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Nativity Of Our Lord Church 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20th
*************************************************
Richard A. Medenwaldt, born June 24, 1936 in Laona, Wisconsin and died at home from complications of cancer February 14, 2015 in Erie, Colorado. Richard graduated from Laona High School May, 1954 and attended the University of Wisconsin at Superior obtaining a BS in Mathematics, a Teaching Certificate and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in USAF Reserves. The USAF sent Richard to Texas A&M University where he completed 45 semester hours at the Air Force Institute of Technology achieving a certificate of Professional Meteorology in 1959. After graduation he married Doneda (Jody) Schaefer in Sept. 1959 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Crandon, Wisconsin.
Serving in the USAF as a meteorologist from August 1958 to October 1962, he forecasted the weather during the Cuban missile crisis and notably for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Following his time in the Air Force, his meteorological career included working for Murray & Trettel Weather Consultants in North Brook IL from 1962 to 1971. A meteorological study being conducted by EG&G, Inc. for the Bureau of Reclamation called the Colorado River Basin Pilot Project or Mountain Skywater moved Richard and his growing family from Illinois to Durango, Colorado in 1971. The weather modification study concluded in 1975.
A new start-up company in Durango, Rocky Mountain Husky, focusing on distributing Husqvarna chain saws and other products drew Richard away from meteorology. From 1975 to 1983 Richard traveled extensively throughout the four corner’s region and the Navajo Nation promoting Rocky Mountain’s products. The lure of meteorology, however, came calling again, this time on the eastern slope of Colorado.
In 1983 Richard started his own company, WeatherSource, Inc. providing weather information for decision makers while also developing a partnership, AVISCAN, Inc., to provide weather forecast services to private aviators. WeatherSource found significant success providing forecasting services to the movie, T.V., media, advertising and transportation Industries. Highpoints were providing precise weather forecast support for movies being filmed under unusual circumstances including errant hurricanes disrupting the filming of Jurassic Park in Hawaii, finding stormy north Atlantic conditions off the San Diego coast for the Hunt for Red October. Filming of the Titanic in Mexico and The Perfect Storm with the movie prop ship moving from Massachusetts through the Panama Cannel to Calif. and back provided interesting conundrums.
Heading the call of our Lord, Richard studied for the Diaconate from 1991 and was ordained in June, 1996 to the Permanent Diaconate by Archbishop J. Francis Stafford of the Archdiocese of Denver from the Parish of St. Scholastica in Erie, CO. He was assigned to The Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield, CO from June, 1996 to the present where he also worked as the parish administrator. While he found forecasting for weather modification projects (cloud seeding) and the movies challenging, his diaconal ministry brought Deacon Dick the most joy, topped only by his family involvement. He was a very loving and wise husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Delia C. DiUlio, father, Noah O. Medenwaldt and son, Alan Noah Medenwaldt. He is survived by his wife, Doneda C. Medenwaldt (Jody), sons Rodney J. Medenwaldt, Laona WI.; Nathan R. Medenwaldt, Plattville, CO.; Jeffry B. & Deborah Medenwaldt & grandsons Chase & Cole, Durango, CO; and Mark C. & Laurie Medenwaldt & grandsons Joseph and Samuel, Erie, CO. Viewing 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vigil Thursday. Viewing 9:00 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. Friday followed by a Funeral Mass all at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Broomfield, Colorado Internment: Town of Laona Cemetery, Laona, WI on June 27th, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment