Richard A. Wissell

Richard Allyn Wissell, of Gaastra, MI, passed away March 1, 2022, at age 83 just as he envisioned; in his home, with family, friends and music surrounding him. Richard was born on October 8, 1938, on his family’s farm in Walworth County, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of seven children born to the late William and Agnes (Matthews) Wissell. His childhood was spent on the family farms in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He graduated from McHenry (IL) High School and subsequently received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was the first in his family to graduate college. After college Richard served in the United States Army. He was posted at Fort Leavenworth Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Joan Lowman. They met in church and shared a love of singing and music and were married in 1963. Their family grew to include 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Richard and Joan remained happily married for 57 years, until her death in March of 2020. Richard’s career was in Public Health administration, and after obtaining his master’s degree he led health departments in Illinois and Wisconsin for over thirty years. During that time, he served terms as the President of the Illinois Public Health Association and the American Public Health Association. Richard then obtained his Doctorate in Public Health and concluded his working days as a professor at East Tennessee State University. Richard led an active life as a public servant. In addition to working in public health he was a life-long church leader and choir director, and an active member in churches wherever he and Joan were living. After his retirement, he and Joan found their home in Upper Michigan. Richard served the town of Gaastra first on the town council and then was elected Mayor in 2012. He and Joan were active members of the Iron River Presbyterian Church, and he took on a leadership role there after the retirement of the pastor. Richard and Joan loved travel and meeting new people. In their later years, they particularly came to enjoy visits to Estes Park Colorado. They loved the hikes in nature and while there, Richard indulged in what had become a favorite pastime, golf. Richard liked telling stories of golfing around the elk on the course in Colorado and about the golf scrambles he enjoyed in Michigan, where he loved playing golf at the courses around Iron River and Gaastra. He would stretch the season as long as the course and the UP weather would allow and was the last golfer on the course this past year. He would say it was his way of enjoying God’s green earth. Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Lowman Wissell, his parents, siblings Evelyn Cornue, William Wissell, James Wissell, Charles Wissell, and Margaret Heike, and son-in-law Keith Overson. He is survived by his brother Robert (Louise) Wissell, children Melissa Overson, Anne (Patrick) Fee, Amy (Ed) Weed and Mark (Karen) Wissell, grandchildren Alex (Stephonie) Andrews, Elizabeth (Andy) Miller, Kelly (Salman) Andrews, Lydia Stansbury, Daniel Fee, Janet Fee and Franklin Fee, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dad’s U.P. “family” as well. So many friends, neighbors and church members provided invaluable help, love, and support in his final months. We appreciate it more than we can say! Richard loved God and lived his daily life with the intention of doing His will. He was a mentor and teacher through his actions. He was and always will be loved by those who knew him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Iron River with Dawn Robbins to officiate. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard A. Wissell, please visit our flower store.