Richard Wakeling, age 89, of Buffalo, MN, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021, after a brief illness.
He was born in Brockton, MA, the son of George and Mary Wakeling. Dick spent his childhood in Whitman, MA, and graduated from Whitman High School. He was a proud Air Force Veteran who served in Shreveport, LA as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist from 1952-1956.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force, he moved to Boston, MA and worked at Regal Shoes while attending Boston University. It was there he sold a pair of shoes to a lovely, young lady who would become his wife two years later. Richard and Carole were married in Whitman, MA, in 1958. After his graduation from college with a degree in accounting, he began his 28-year career with the Internal Revenue Service working in corporate collections. He was a long-time member of Community Covenant Church in E. Bridgewater, MA.
After his retirement, Dick and Carole enjoyed their winter home in Naples, FL, for 30 years. He loved nature and was an enthusiastic 25-year volunteer for the National Audubon Society at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples. Dick and Carole moved to Buffalo, MN, in 2007 to be closer to family. He enjoyed his friendships through Buffalo United Methodist Church, the St. Michael Senior Center, and the Roberts Ridge Neighborhood group. He had a spectacular sense of humor and could start a conversation with anyone, anywhere, at any time (and usually have them laughing). He was a prolific artist and took great joy in gifting his paintings to family and friends.
Dick loved his family deeply. He is survived by his wife, Carole; son David (Candee) Wakeling, of Portland, OR; daughter, Susan (Jonathan) Fenton, of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, Kirsten (Michael), Matthew, Kurt (Jenelle), Eric, and Peter; brother, Stuart (Tricia); brother-in-law, Robert; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frederick.
A private family service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. An outdoor celebration of life will be held next spring or summer.