John H. "Doc" Risic

John Huntington “Doc” Risic, age 80, of Platteville, WI, died on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at UW Hospital and Clinics in Madison, WI. He was born on August 6, 1940 in Wausau, WI, the son of Herman and Charlotte (Huntington) Risic. He attended Lincoln Elementary School in Wausau, where he was a yo yo champ. After the death of his father in 1951, he moved with his Mother and Sister to Platteville in 1953, where he attended and graduated from Platteville High School in 1958. He attended Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis and then worked for the Burlington Railroad in Chicago in 1959. He attended UW-P in the fall of 1959 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 10, 1960. He attended Boot Camp and Hospital Corp. training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA. He received an Honorable Discharge on February 10, 1964. On June 8, 1968, John was united in marriage to Kaaren Maria Pederson of Platteville, at the First Congregational Church in Platteville in a Norwegian Wedding that was featured in the Agriculturalist Magazine. They traveled to Norway and around Europe for their honeymoon. He worked for WI Power and Light Company and had several businesses of his own: Doc’s Deep Rock, 1964, Radio Shack, 1971-1979, and Museum and Tower Laundromats, 1978-1995. He raced his formula V race car at Wilmot, WI, and won first place at Lynndale Farm Racetrack in Pewaukee, WI, and raced in Road America at Elkart Lake, WI, from 1965-1967. John drove school bus from 1967-1973. He graduated from UW-P in 1970 with a degree in Industrial Technology and in 1971 with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. He taught Driver Education for Muscoda Public Schools in 1972. After retiring form Wingra Cement Works in Madison on August 29, 2003, John kept busy by driving for Bonded Messenger Service out of Milwaukee, and most recently drove the UW-P Shuttle Buses around Platteville, where he thoroughly enjoyed talking to and getting to know the students along his route.
John was an active member of the American Legion Post #42 since 1987, and a volunteer fireman in Platteville from 1965-1998. He was a faithful member of the Platteville Free Methodist Church and enjoyed driving the van for the Bible Quizzers and Wednesday night young people’s church group. John loved to fix machinery and anything that was broken, feed “his” birds and cats, and attend car races. John traveled extensively with his wife around Norway, England, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. He also traveled to Okinawa, Hong Kong, Macao, and Cowlin, while he was in the service. John especially loved to travel throughout WI, MN, and CA to visit his beloved children and grandchildren. John felt tremendously blessed by the Lord, by his family and loved being a part of their lives. He is with Jesus now. He and Kaaren were the couple of all couples – attached at the hip and enjoyed doing everything together! John enjoyed his quiet visits with his ill friends and with those needing a friend. He donated money to Platteville Fire Department, PHS Scholarships, Community, Platteville Public Library, Armed Forces, Paralyzed Veterans, Shriners Hospital for Children, S.E. Handicapped Services, Salvation Army, UW-P, Food for the Poor, etc.
John is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kaaren; one daughter, Janna (Todd), of WI; three sons: Kurt (Chelsea) of CA, Jamie (Keri) of MN, and Kris of CA; four grandchildren: Ryder and Raven, Chase and Wyatt; one sister, Jane Busse (Darwin) of IL; a niece and nephew; and a cousin, Kay (Williams) Johnston and Dave and family, of WI.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, John was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ann; and his uncle and aunt, Harry and Ila Williams.
In lieu of any plants and flowers, a John Huntington “Doc” Risic Memorial Fund has been established with proceeds going to some of John’s favorite charities. Memorials may be mailed to Martin Schwartz Funeral Home and Crematory: 100 Park Place, Platteville, WI 53818. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home and Crematory of Platteville is entrusted with his services.