Judge Richard J. Dietz was born on July 6, 1944 and died on August 14, 2012. The son of the late Roy J. Dietz and Esther C. Dietz of Milwaukee, Richard grew up in Milwaukee and attended Marquette High School, Marquette University, and Marquette Law School. He worked full-time in the offices at the Pabst Brewery while also a full-time student at the university, and then during law school. In 1969, District Attorney John Gower hired Richard as Assistant D.A. because he "knew how to work." Work was very important to him and he gave every job he did his best effort. After leaving the D.A.'s office he had a private practice and then became City Attorney of De Pere. After four years, he became City Attorney of Green Bay, but returned to De Pere as City Attorney during the important years of development of the industrial park on the west side. He was proud to work with the Redevelopment Authority on the city's modernization and expansion. In l988, Richard J. Dietz was appointed as Brown County Circuit Court Judge and served in that office until he retired from the bench in 2007. While he heard all types of cases, he took special satisfaction in juvenile cases when he knew a lesson had been learned. He enjoyed performing adoptions and performed the weddings of many friends and family members. He was a true student of the law and enjoyed discussing cases with other Judges. He served on the Juvenile Jury Instructions Committee and the Civil Jury Instructions Committee. He was a Charter Member of the Inns of Court. He also served on the committee to establish the Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center. After retirement, Judge Dietz worked as a Reserve Judge and as a mediator and arbitrator. Richard had many interests. He often traded his car for a different model and had a long-time friendship with everyone at De Pere Auto. An expert in World War II history, he also enjoyed the detective novels of Robert B. Parker. He always won at Trivial Pursuit. His favorite restaurant was the Union Hotel. He belonged to a coffee club at Kavarna, and to a card group and a men's book club. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and traveling. He accompanied his wife on three trips with her students to Spain and in more recent years they traveled some in Europe without students. When his children were young, he planned "epic" family road trips through the eastern states and Canada and through the western states. He loved to go up North to Minocqua and to family reunions at Lake Okoboji, Iowa, where 75 family members on his wife's side gather biennially. The judge was particular about his clothing. He enjoyed wearing three-piece suits; he never had to rent patent leather shoes for weddings because his own wingtips were as shiny. The neighbors ribbed him about the creased shorts he wore to mow the lawn. He liked all manner of cleaning supplies and he kept his closet, golf clubs, cars and decks meticulously tidy. Richard was a family man and was most content when he was with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. He preferred being with his family and traveling to see them to any other pastime or travel. He was a kind, generous, and loving husband and father who encouraged all of his children's interests, talents, and dreams. He thoroughly enjoyed time with his eight grandchildren. Over the years, friends would come to him in their greatest time of need and he would listen quietly and calmly and offer his best advice. His family and close friends enjoyed his excellent sense of humor which he retained until the end. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Candace, and his grateful children, Brian (Angela), Kristin (Brian Dugan), Maggie (Todd Hearon), and Colleen (Michael Cordia), and grandchildren, Arin Dietz; William, Connor, Grace, and Patrick Dugan; Lionel and Kempie Hearon; and Quinn Collins. Also surviving are his sister, Mary Gerlach and her husband John, brothers-in-law Kevan Wifvat, Van Wifvat, Mark Wifvat and sisters-in law and spouses, Cherie and Larry Garrett, Christina and Jim Gammel, Virginia and Richard Rost, Colleen Wifvat and Steve Kelso, and Lori and Richard Talboy; as well as cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, and many friends and wonderful neighbors. The family thanks all of the kind nurses and doctors at Aurora Bay Care, particularly the angels in chemotherapy and Dr. Rohde and his staff in Radiation Oncology. Mostly, we thank Dr. Patel for his gentle care, and for giving us eighteen more months together. Friends may call at RYAN FUNERAL HOME 305 N. Tenth Street in De Pere, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church De Pere on Monday, August 20, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. with Fr. Richard Getchel officiating. There will be no visitation on Monday at either the funeral home or the church. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family. A memorial fund will be established for scholarships.