Richard W. Mack

Richard Walter Mack, 89, of Poynette, WI, died peacefully at home after health issues

during the past six months, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

He was born on February 8, 1937, to Walter Daniel and Jean Vivian (Wichman) Mack in

Freeport, IL. Richard was raised in Freeport on Bolton Rd., and he was a member of

Van Brocklin Church. He graduated from Pearl City High School in 1954. He married

Karen (Rudy) on June 17, 1962.

Richard was in the US Air Force from 1958 to 1961. While in the Air Force, he spent

most of his time in Zaragoza, Spain, serving as an air traffic control specialist. That is

where he developed his career in air traffic control. After his military duty was complete,

he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration, at Midway Airport in Chicago, IL.

He later transferred to the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center in Aurora, IL, where

he worked for over 40 years. He loved his job as an Air Traffic Controller. He spent his

working career living in Elburn, IL, and has been a member of the Community

Congregational Church of Elburn for over 50 years. Richard was also a member of the

Fraternal Order of the Moose in St Charles, IL, for over 50 years.

Richard loved to garden, bowl, snowmobile, play cards, and spending winters in Mesa,

AZ. Richard and Karen bought a summer cottage on Lake Wisconsin in Poynette, WI,

in 1967. They enjoyed many summers on the lake, and they decided to retire there.

Retirement found them spending summers in Wisconsin and winters in Mesa, AZ.

Richard also loved spending time with his family and was always ready for a road trip.

Survivors include his wife, Karen (Rudy) of Poynette, WI; one son, Regan (Wendi

Mekins) of Gaithersburg, MD; one daughter Regina (Gregory) Kurth of Geneva, IL; 4

grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathaniel, and Holden Mack, and Anastasia Kurth; one step

grandchild, Simon Foster; a brother David Mack; brother-in-law Lyle Rudy; and many

nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Randall Larry Mack; brother Larry

W Mack; four sisters-in-law Patricia Gale Mack, Carol C Klenke, Sharon Rudy, and

Connie Rudy; and brother-in-law Lynn Rudy.

The visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM, Friday, April 10, 2026, and the funeral will be at

11:00 AM, Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Walker Mortuary, 321 W Main St, Freeport, IL.

Reverend Katherine Lawes will officiate. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in

Freeport, IL.

Memorials may be made to Community Congregational Church, 100 E Shannon St,

Elburn, IL 60119. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkermortuary.com.