RACINE - Richard Charles “Dick” Konsinowski, 73, passed away peacefully at his home following a bout with bone cancer. A Racine native, he was born on January 13, 1942. He attended St. Joseph and Sacred Heart grade schools, and St. Catherine’s and Horlick High Schools, after which he did a four-year hitch in the U.S. Navy as a 3rd Class Hospital Corpsman. Following his Naval service, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. In 1982 he received an MBA from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. He was employed after graduation from UW-Madison as a Public Relations Account Executive at a small PR firm in Chicago. In January 1968, he joined Western Publishing in Racine as Editor of its Corporate Employee Publications, subsequently moving into Human Resources and becoming Director of Labor Relations and the Company’s chief labor negotiator for approximately 20 years. While serving in the capacity of Director of Labor Relations, he also added responsibilities for Salaried Recruiting and Compensation. In 1998 he joined IRIS USA, Pleasant Prairie, as the Japanese subsidiary’s Corporate Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs, his most recent position. He was a former member of the Racine Jaycees, and has been a current member of the Eagles Club Aerie 281 for the past 20 years. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Marion Konsinowski, grandparents Hector and Florence Payton and Walter and Esther Konsinowski. Surviving are his spouse of 46 years, Bonnie; sons Dr. David (Maddy) Johnson, Michael Konsinowski; daughter Kellie (Joe) Bertone; brother, Eugene (Sue) Konsinowski, all of Racine; and sister, Judith (Jerry) Lebrick of Union Grove. He is also survived by two precious granddaughters, Mallory and Lucie Bertone, who lovingly refer to him as Bumpa. Also deserving mention is special friend Pat Rooney, whose regular support and encouragement helped Dick through his ordeal. With the necessities now out of the way, let’s look at Dick’s life beyond the statistics and demographics. Dick was an original member of the Lakeview Hawks, recipient of the group’s first “Hawk of the Year” award and holder of an original Hawk’s membership card, laminated for protection. He was a staunch supporter of the Miss America Scholarship Organization because of its support for young women, twice serving as the Public Relations Chairman for the Miss Racine Pageant. He also served 20-plus years as a judge on the local pageant level and, on four occasions, he and his fellow judges selected contestants who went on to become Miss Wisconsin, one of whom also became Miss America. Dick had a passion for performing. In high school he was a member of the traveling forensic teams at both St. Catherine’s and Horlick high schools, specializing in dramatic monologue, and spent one year with the Lakeview Summer Theatre. While attending the UW Racine Extension, he competed against contestants from the other UW Extensions, taking first place in dramatic reading. Dick was also a member of Theopholis Thistle, a reader’s theatre group that performed dramatic and humorous monologues for children and adults. Dick also liked to dance, taking tap dance lessons for 10+ years at his wife’s dance studio, the Academy of Dance, and participating for 29 years as a member of the studio’s “Dancing Dads”. He furthered his love of the stage and performing when, in 1991, he joined the Penguin Players, a veteran group of singers and entertainers, as a performer and the group’s Business Manager. For the next 24 years, he appeared in hundreds of Penguin Players’ shows and outside performances. Frequent show attendees will remember Dick for the numerous comedy skits he performed, as well as his dramatic recitations of heart-rending ballads and patriotic pieces. Until this year, Dick never missed a performance, but because of the possibility that this year’s Spring Show could be his last gig, he was escorted for bows at the conclusion of the first weekend’s show performances by his granddaughters, Mallory and Lucie. Reluctantly, he was unable to make the second weekend’s show performances and had to call an end to his performing career. All in all, Dick had one heck of a run. But the curtain has now closed. His last bow taken. A Celebration of Dick’s life will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 3 p.m. Visitation will be held at the funeral home, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 3:00 p.m. A private family entombment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Eagles Club of Racine. Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory 3915 Douglas Avenue Racine, WI 53402 (262) 639-8000 www.purath-strand.com