Richard J. “Dick” Cornell, age 87, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning September 26, 2019 at
his apartment at Cedar Bay Assisted Living in Elkhart Lake, WI surrounded by family. He was born in
Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 28, 1932 to Namesion and Lillian (Daul) Cornell. He attended Central
Catholic High School, Marquette University and St. Norbert College. He married Mary Vogels in 1953. He
is survived by his wife Joan of San Diego, CA, six children: Cathy (Paul Knitter) Cornell of Madison, WI,
Michael (Brenda) Cornell of Hartland, WI, Peter (Wonda) Cornell of Zumbrota, MN, Anne Marshall
(friend Mark Kirby) of Three Lakes, WI, Susan (Douglas) Cornell De Vries of Two Rivers, WI, and Jon
Cornell of Savage, MN. He is also survived by his wife Joan Brisbin, a brother Tom (Sarah) Cornell, 15
grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Judy
Dodson and Patricia Syverud.
After two years as an Armored Officer, Dick was the Ford dealer in Plymouth, WI for over 35 years. He
retired in 1991 to fish, travel and golf. Dick made over 60 fishing trips to Canada. In his early retirement
he lived on a golf course in Tucson, had his own golf cart and played golf almost daily. Some of his
favorite memories included having 34 fishing rods hanging in his basement, walking the Great Wall of
China, visiting the Taj Mahal, and going to East Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie. Dick won several Ford
dealer trips to Hawaii, Europe and several of the Caribbean islands, including cruises and three trips to
St. Maarten. He also enjoyed traveling to Alaska.
When Dick joined his father at Cornell Motors in 1956, he was one of only eight employees. When he
sold the business in 1991, there were 35 ‘good folks.’ Dick was often heard saying “these good, well-
trained people made me look good. They made Cornell Motors a great place to work.”
Dick spent over 20 years in the active Army and Wisconsin Army National Guard, retiring as a Major. He
was the Guard Commanding Officer in Plymouth in 1963 and 1964. One highlight was serving as the
Company Commander of a tank company in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in 1956 and of an Infantry Unit in 1961
and 1962 in Ft. Lewis, Washington. Dick was proud to be a Guardsman in the 32 nd Red Arrow Division.
A big part of Dick’s life was being an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He gave many talks to
classes at Plymouth High School. He started an AA group in Sun City Vistoso, Arizona. On a trip to Israel,
he organized an AA meeting at the Jerusalem Marriott.
Dick served 20 years on a Congressional Commission to interview and recommend candidates to West
Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy and King’s Point (Merchant Marine).
Dick’s many business and civic functions included: Meals on Wheels delivery, serving on his church
council (two terms), being Chairman of Lakeland College Board of Associates, Director of Sheboygan
County Red Cross, Association of Commerce Director and past President, Chairman of Wisconsin Ford
Dealer Advertising Committee, Co-Chairman of the new Plymouth Library Fund project, new ambulance
fundraising campaign Chairman, Director of Wisconsin Auto/Truck Dealer Association, and Chairman of
the first Thanksgiving dinner put on by the Salvation Army.
Dick was a big Packer fan. He saw his first game in Green Bay when he was six years old and had season
tickets for over 40 years. One of the biggest thrills in his life was riding an elephant on Mill Street in
Plymouth as Centennial Chairman in 1976. He also rode a camel while in Israel. A great memory was
lying next to the boom operator while watching them refuel jets for the KC 135 (Boeing 707) of the
Wisconsin Air Guard, flying from Washington, DC to Milwaukee.
Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday afternoon, (October 1, 2019) at 1 p.m. at St. John the
Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth, WI. Father Philip Reifenberg will officiate and burial will be in the
Parish Cemetery.
Visitation will take place at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth, WI from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday,
(September 30, 2019) and at the CHURCH on Tuesday from 12 noon until the time of Mass. A luncheon
will follow.
The Ladewig-Zinkgraf American Legion Post 243 in Plymouth will conduct Military Rites following the
Mass at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Dick’s name.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family. For online condolences, please
visit www.suchonfh.com.
The family would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at Cedar Bay Assisted Living and Sharon S.
Richardson Hospice for the loving care and support provided to Dick and the family during this difficult
time.
