Richard Raymond Ristow
Age 87, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was born December 18, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Richard and Hazel (LeBlank) Ristow. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard a submarine and a destroyer from 1958 to 1963 as an electronics technician. He worked at A.O.Smith in Milwaukee for 42 years, retiring at age 60.

Richard married Cheryl J. Friedrich and they shared 40 years of marriage until her death on December 17, 2008. Together they raised four sons: Danny, Richard, Timothy, and James.

He loved to hunt and fish. He liked flea markets and trains, collecting train memorabilia, and was an avid reader. He enjoyed tending to his flower gardens. He liked to try his luck at penny slots and played Sheepshead weekly with a group for over 50 years. He was generous with thrift stores. He disliked anything sweet and loved unusual meats.

Richard attended St Marcus Evangelical Lutheran Church as a young boy and St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church after his marriage to Cheryl. He was a man of strong faith who trusted in his Savior and knew that this earthly life was temporary and that, through faith in Jesus, he would spend eternity in the presence of God.

He is survived by his sons, Danny (Sandy), Richard, Timothy (Jamie) and James: His grandchildren Daniel (Kim) Tyler (Katie), Kyle, Heather, Gabriel, Seth, and Hailey: and his great-granddaughter Adriana. He is further survived by his sister Jeane and his beloved friend and companion, Sharan Zelinski. He was preceded in death by his wife Cheryl, his parents Richard and Hazel, and his sisters Joan and Janice.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, from 10:00 AM to noon, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Muskego. The funeral service will follow at the church at noon.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Grade School, Muskego, Wisconsin.

Hartson Funeral Home, Hales Corners, Wisconsin is serving the family.