Dr. Richard J. Ludwig

Plano, TX – Dr. Richard J. Ludwig, 84, formerly of Racine, passed away at his home in Plano, TX on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 following a brave struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born in Racine on February 17, 1925 to the late Nicholas and Rose Susan (nee: Scholzen) Ludwig. Richard graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1943. Shortly after, he faithfully served our Country with the United States Air Force as a Bombardier. Honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant, Richard went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Marquette University under the G.I. Bill in 1953 and Masters of Pediatric Dentistry in 1968. Dr. Ludwig served as a dentist in Racine until becoming a Pediatric Dentistry Specialist in Milwaukee, retiring in 1982.

A true humanitarian, Dr. Ludwig spent the following 17 years in Haiti where he provided healthcare to the less fortunate. During that time, he devoted his entire life to securing life’s necessities for the poor – enhancing the lives of many…one by one. His selfless and tireless contributions to the World are truly inspirational. As he certainly lived his religion, Dr. Ludwig was a proud member of St. Richard Catholic Church, where his grandparents were founding members in 1874.

Surviving are his children, Lyn (Dennis) Johnson, Laura (Tom) Lyon, Raymond (Jacqueline) Ludwig, Rick (Christine) Ludwig, Karl (Perry) Ludwig and Amy (Tim) Neeley; daughter-in-law, Lynn Ludwig; foster daughter, Sophie Dorceus, and her son, Aaron; grandchildren, Jessica, Lauren, Christopher T., Christopher L., Genna, Kyle, Troy, Walker, Aaron, Lucy, Margaret and William; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Jay, Christopher Jr., and Eliot; sisters, Mary Elizabeth (Dick Steberl) Terselic and Janet (Mario) Aiello; sister-in-law, Rahela Ludwig; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Ludwig was preceded in death by his former wife, Miriam Thomas Post; sons, Thomas and Eric Ludwig; brother, Lawrence Ludwig; and sisters, Barbara Kelly and Rosemary Ludwig.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11 am in St. Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Rev. Ronald J. Gramza officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-7 pm and in the church on Wednesday from 10-11 am. In memory of Rich, memorials to St. Richard’s Church, St. Catherine’s High School or one’s favorite charity have been suggested.