Richard P. Tork, 80, Wisconsin Rapids, a Stevens Point native, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Strawberry Lane Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Wisconsin Rapids.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven in Wisconsin Rapids, with the Rev. William Menzel officiating.
Visitation will be at the church from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, followed by the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus.
Donations can be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven in Wisconsin Rapids. A memorial will be established at a later date.
Higgins Funeral Home of Wisconsin Rapids assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.higginsfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Tork was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Stevens Point, a son of the late Walter and Martha Tork. He attended St. Lawrence Grade School and Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids.
He served in the U.S. Navy as an aerial engineer from 1951 to 1955 where he logged hundreds of hours in the Blimp Observatory Program while serving at Lakehurst Naval Station in New Jersey, with one year at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He was married to Barbara A. Mertes on Aug. 18, 1955, at Sacred Heart Church in Nekoosa.
Mr. Tork was employed by Tork Lumber Company as a yard manager following his naval service until 1966. He was then employed by Consolidated Papers for 32 years as a supercalendar operator.
He was actively involved in the community in a variety of capacities, working as a crossing guard in Wisconsin Rapids and as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus for 50 years as a Third and Fourth Degree Knight where he has earned honors for his recruitment of new members.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Cynthia (Roosevelt) Dale, La Crosse, Cathy Dyszelski, Wisconsin Rapids, Christine (David) Ikkala, McKinney, Texas, and Mary (Bill) Roth, San Jose, Calif.; one son, Rick (MaryAnn), Frisco, Colo.; one foster son, Henry (Carol) Czappa, Racine; one sister, Audrey, Las Vegas, Nev.; and nine grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel and Raymond; and an infant sister.
