Richard James Bixby

Richard James Bixby, of Waupun, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Christian Home.

Richard was born on June 8, 1922 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a son of James and Mayda Bixby. During his high school career, he set the all time scoring record in Basketball for Fox Valley conference. Following his graduation from Oshkosh High School in 1940, he signed a contract to play baseball with Oshkosh Giants. In 1942 he entered the service and served in the Philippines during World War II. Following his discharge in 1946, he played with the St. Cloud Giants for about a year and a half in the Northern League before he was traded as a player/manager to the Southern League in Enterprise, AL. From 1947 to 1948 played and managed the Enterprise Boll Weevils where he met his loving wife, Ruth and married on December 1, 1948 in Blakely, Georgia. Following their marriage, Richard played professional baseball for a year in Spencer, IA before retiring from baseball and returning to Wisconsin, where he began work at the Correctional Institution in Waupun, WI. After retiring as recreation director in 1978, for 27 years he and his wife enjoyed spending their winters in Alabama. Richard was a loving Father and Grandfather. He was a member of the American Legion and professional Duck Carving Association, where he won numerous awards. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing basketball, baseball, and carving ducks.
Richard is survived by one son, Jim (Mary Ann) Bixby, Hartford, AL, two daughters: Bev (Rick) Hartwig, and Faye Bixby, both of Waupun, four grandchildren: Rich (Misty) Bixby, Geneva, AL, Kellie (Jason) Carlee, Calera, AL, Stephanie Hartwig, and Jim Hartwig, both of Waupun, three great-grandchildren: Ross Bixby, Grayton and Katie Grace Carlee and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Ruth of 65 years, his parents, parents-in-law Andrew and Mattie Weeks, a sister, Jane (Bob) Wagner and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Richard’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 11 A.M. at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 West Main Street, Waupun, WI, with Rev. Elizabeth Lee and Chaplain Wick Hubers officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens cemetery with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard.

Richard’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9 A.M. until the hour of service.

A memorial fund has been established for the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center, 331 Bly Street, Waupun, WI 53963.
“A Special Thanks to the Waupun Christian Home and Dr. Mariano Rosales for their compassionate care.”