Richard Francis Obermeyer, age 91, of Wisconsin Dells, WI, passed away on May 10, 2026.

A Gathering will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Wisconsin Dells. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Gail, at Spring Grove Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells.

Born on February 15, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rich is remembered dearly for his great communication style, strong vocabulary and love of books and knowledge. He was liked and respected by all who met him. Rich got along with different types of people easily.

Rich went through Catholic school and graduated in 1953 from Washington High School in Milwaukee. Enlisted in Army, Sam Houston TX Medical Center training, then Graduating Kent State University with a 4-year degree and master's degree. He met his wife Gail Kolste of Sheboygan at church helping her with props for a Play. Gail and Rich were active in church during their early years. Gail was director of Christian education in church. Rich an Alter boy.

He received an offer from North Central College to be a Professor of Speech Communication, Set and Artistic Director for the Theater department, and Director of the radio station WONC. He was responsible for leading the transition there from AM to FM radio. The college honored him in 2026 by naming a studio at the radio station after him with a plaque for all his contributions. Rich also worked in county probation as an officer helping families and the convicted. He did business consulting for a few companies and was a Regional Manager for Public Storage as they expanded in the 80's. Rich was in a computer club in 1979 before anyone had computers! Another way he gained knowledge with the expanding world of computing.

After their son Mark completed college, Gail and Rich decided to pursue a new adventure in the Wisconsin Dells by purchasing the Historic HH Bennett house and running it as a successful Bed & Breakfast for 15 years. He loved telling the guests about HH Bennett and the Wisconsin Dells area. This would be the home they celebrate 53 years of marriage together.

While managing the B&B with Gail, Rich also had a successful career at Ad Lit selling advertising to local business owners for tourism in the Dells and Wisconsin. He was first to sell internet ads for Ad Lit and created the vision for others in the company. Rich has been visiting family in the Dells since age 9, another reason Rich loves anything Wisconsin! He has been to most towns and areas of Wisconsin. In the early years, Rich loved visiting the Gail Kolste family in Sheboygan, WI.  There were many wonderful memories over the years from the Kolste family.

Richard is survived by his son, Mark (Stacey) and their children, Noah and Jared of Geneva, IL. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gail Koslte; parents, Woodrow (Annie) Obermeyer of Milwaukee, WI and grandfather, Otto Obermeyer of West Bend, WI.  His birth mother, Annie Karesiewski and grandfather,  August Smith (Anna Vanco) of Milwaukee and children of Tillie, Steve, Helen and Annie's sister, Mary Karesiewski. Mary (and her husband Ray Ettle) was like a mother for most of Rich's life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Friends of H.H. Bennett Studio of Wisconsin Dells, WI.

https://support.wisconsinhistory.org/hhbennett