In Memory

Richard Rosko - Class Of 1969

Richard Rosko

Richard P. Rosko

Jun 28, 1951 – Jan 17, 2024

SOMERS – Richard P. Rosko, 72, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

He was born in Kenosha on June 28, 1951, the son of the late Sigmund and Genevieve (nee Smolik) Rosko.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1969.  Rich married Cynthia Ann Miller at St. Casimir Catholic Church on April 21, 1979.

Rich retired after 28 years of service as a sign painter for AMC/Chrysler Corporation. He also operated Rosko Sign Service for many years, continuing in the tradition of his father. In his retirement from Chrysler, he worked part-time at Menard’s in Racine, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experience in the painting field, and any other way he could be of help. He also enjoyed the friendships he made with his coworkers. Athletics were always a big part of his life. He played hockey for UW Parkside as well as for the Kenosha Flyers and Chargers. He played softball for many different teams, and In the summer of 2023, along with his wife Cindy, he was inducted into the Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame.

In his retirement, he planted a vineyard on his property, planting over 1,700 grapevines, and enjoyed turning the grapes into wine. Two of his wines took first place at last year’s Kenosha County Fair. He was a very talented, “handy” and practical person, and loved any challenge to figure something out. He could be found helping his sons and friends lettering something, installing an organ, or with any number of different projects. He was happy to drop everything to do it, and enjoyed every minute. Willingly or unwillingly, and mostly through his eldest son, he was active in the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society, helping to restore historic theatre pipe organs, and enjoying their music.

He was instrumental in the creation of his younger son’s business, and along with his close friend Dan Gilmore, restored and converted a vintage camping trailer for waffle service. He was there every step of the way with the business, and you could often find him hanging out making friends and listening to the music at the farmers market. If you needed a coffee, he was your guy.

He had a very particular sort of zest for life in that he enjoyed the familiar, but was always happy to try new things. He enjoyed food and wine, traveling, certainly experiencing what our world and life has to offer. He also had a particular love for the Wisconsin State Fair.

In addition to his loving wife Cindy, Rich is survived by his sons, Dean (Benjamin Sibley) Rosko and Aaron Rosko; his brothers, Leon Rosko and Eugene Rosko; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marsha (Charles) Johnson and Mark Miller; as well as dear nieces, nephews and friends. He had many close friends, but in particular, we know he would like to acknowledge his longtime friends Rick Flocker and Dan Gilmore, with whom he shared a special bond. We will miss him dearly.

Rich was also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Rosko and his sister-in-law, Kathy Rosko.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, for a visitation to meet with his family from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.  A memorial Mass will take place at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee at a later date.