Richard Dale (Dick) Winzeler
1935-2024
Dick was born February 10, 1935 on a farm north of Gridley, Kansas, the son of George and Sophia Winzeler. He had two older sisters. He attended 1st thru 8th grade in a one room school house. He was raised on the farm and graduated from Gridley Rural High School in 1953 in a class of 22 students. Here he played football, basketball, baseball, and participated in band, class plays and glee club. Dick then attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he was President of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1957 with a BS degree in accounting and became a lifelong “Wildcat.”
In 1956, Dick married his wife of 68 years, Rae Irene Weidenbach of Newton, Kansas. In the spring of 1957, the couple moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked for Pan American Petroleum and later worked with Moak, Hunsaker, and Rouse CPAs. During this time, he attended law school at night at Oklahoma City University where he received his Jurist Doctorate in Law in 1965. He then became a trust officer at Liberty Bank Trust Department. Following that he became a tax partner with Robinson, DeCordova & Billups CPAs, that later merged with Alexander Grant CPAs, and then eventually Grant Thorton CPAs where he retired in 2000 after 43 years in public accounting. During his working years, and into retirement, Dick served on the board of Nichols Hills Bank (now RCB Bank).
Dick and Rae raised their family in the Putnam City area of Oklahoma City and later moved to Oak Tree in Edmond in 1988 and lived there for the next 35 years. They enjoyed their large family especially on the Fourth of July and Christmas. Their home was always a place of laughter and good times on these holidays, including taking tractor rides, watching fireworks, opening gifts, telling jokes, playing pitch, ribbing the ones not on the pitch trophy, and eating great meals.
Traveling with their many friends was a favorite pastime for Dick and Rae. They especially enjoyed Colorado with family for their entire married life. They loved going to Kansas State bowl games. In addition to being a loyal Wildcat, he was a lifelong St Louis Cardinals fan, enjoying watching games until only recently.
His church home, Crossings Community Church was very important to him. When his health made it hard to attend anymore, they were very thankful that they could watch the service online. What a blessing. He also enjoyed his Men’s Bible Study at Oak Tree.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Jane Perkins, and great-granddaughter, Hope. He is survived by his wife Rae, of the home, their four children, son Doug Winzeler and wife Tina of Oklahoma City, daughter Linda Hutchinson and husband David of Elk City, daughter Janice Cox and husband Bridge of Ardmore, and son Dennis Winzeler and wife Susan of Saint Petersburg, Florida. He is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren, Matthew Winzeler and wife Melony, John Winzeler and wife Taylor, William Winzeler and wife Lauren, Katherine Winzeler, Brian Hutchinson and wife Janelle, Kurtis Hutchinson and wife Meggie, Erin Williamson and husband Cory, Taylor Henschel, Sam Henschel and wife Katlyn, Kaden Winzeler, Lindsey Winzeler, Bridger Cox and wife Michelle, and Courtney Davidson and husband Guy. Dick also had seventeen great grandchildren, Hallie, Heston, Seth, Cooper, Jacob, Hope, Crew, Lakin, Tate, Ryan, Collin, Annie, Ridlee, Towns, Lulu, Winnie and Dean. He is also survived by his sister Norma Johnston.
Dick loved his family more than anything, was hard working and dependable, was well respected, and his word was his bond. He had so many good friends and was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He will be missed by so many that loved him.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at Crossings Community Church Chapel at 3:00 pm on Friday, October 25, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crossings Community Church, reflecting Dick’s generous heart.
To livestream the service, please use the following link https://vimeo.com/event/4654231/a3d9d3021f
Dick was one of the finest men we have ever known. Will miss him very much!
Rae and family: I had the great privilege and pleasure to work with Dick. He became a dear friend who I loved and respected.