Richard “Dick” Granger Travis passed away on July 19, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family, including Charlene, his beloved wife of 71 years, and their children, Tamara, Robert, and John.
Richard was born on December 10, 1933, in the small town of Comstock, Nebraska, to George Owen Travis and Luella Maude (Granger) Travis. He spent his childhood in Nebraska and graduated from Lexington High School in 1952.
He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he met his future wife, Charlene, as a freshman. Although they grew up in tiny towns close to each other, they did not meet until attending the University. They quickly fell in love and were married June 11, 1955.
In 1956, Richard was drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served two years at Fort Lewis, Washington, and continued his military service for six years in the Army Reserves.
In 1958, he returned to the University of Nebraska and graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Economics in 1963.
Richard’s working career began at the American Can company in Neenah, WI, followed by employment with American Air Filter in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1974, he moved the family to Sheboygan, WI where he became the Director of Operations for the Kohler Co., Generator Division. After 25 years with the Kohler Co., Richard retired in 2000.
After retiring, he served on the boards of Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. He was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Sheboygan where he sang in the choir and served on several boards.
Like his work, Richard pursued is hobbies with equal vigor and skill. He loved his cars but he was passionate about boats and sailing. He joined the Sheboygan Yacht Club and spent many years with Charlene racing and cruising on Lake Michigan. Appropriately, his favorite boats were named “Char”. Richard served as Commodore of the Sheboygan Yacht Club from 1997 to 1998 and helped establish the Sheboygan Venetian Night Parade.
Richard loved music and was a terrific dancer. He and Char were members of the Kettle Squares.
In retirement, Richard became a painter. He learned the art of watercolor painting and became an accomplished painter. He painted with a local group. The group made a trip to Monhegan Island, Maine. They also went to Big Sur, California and they took many trips to Door County, Wisconsin. His subject matter reflected love for his Nebraska roots, the water, sailing and the beauty of the nature he experienced in his travels with Char, around the globe.
His life was busy and fulfilling, but what truly filled his heart was his deep and abiding love for his wife Charlene. Best friends, husband and wife, they were always together. His deep love extended to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His specialty was giving hugs, sneaking caramels from his pocket to share and having a truck or car that could never drive past a Dairy Queen.
Survived by his wife, Charlene (Char) Travis; daughter Tami (Keith) Travis-Wolgram; sons Bob (Luann) Travis and John (Coleen) Travis. Grandchildren, Jessica Barlow, Elizabeth Fischer, Rebecca Eiden, Travis Eiden, Whitney Eiden, Thomas Eiden, Beah Travis, Jack Travis and Anna Travis. Great Grandchildren, Natasha Reorowicz-Xiong, Olivia Schmidt, Maddix Eiden and Mac Travis Denzin.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Pine Haven and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the care they provided. And a thank you to the Sheboygan Yacht Club Members and Staff who made him feel so welcome in his final years.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held on Sunday, August 9th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Sheboygan Yacht Club, 214 Pennsylvania Ave, Sheboygan. The celebration will conclude at 3:30 pm with a dedication and blessing of Richard’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider spreading Dick’s passion of sailing with a contribution to SEAS (Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan).
Zimmer Westview Funeral Cremation Care Center is honored to serve the family. For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
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