S. Richard "Dick" Bornslaeger

Munising

          S. Richard “Dick” Bornslaeger, age 86, of Munising, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 5, 2023 surrounded by loving family.  He was born September 17, 1936 to the late Stephen and Helen (Dzirbik) Bornslaeger in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Dick was raised in Milwaukee by his mother and his stepfather Wilbert “Bill” Reitmeyer.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a degree in chemical engineering.  Dick married Patricia Constant on November 28, 1959, and together they raised their three children.  As their family began to grow, Dick started his employment in Munising with Kimberly Clark and then transferred to Appleton, WI.  As a chemical engineer, Dick’s work on non-woven and superabsorbent materials resulted in a number of patents; he later worked as a purchasing agent for the mill.   Dick was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed taking his family fishing, camping and cross country skiing.  He also shared his love of music with Pat and their children.  Dick often felt God’s presence through his experience of nature as well as through music.  Dick started making music at a young age, playing the saxophone and clarinet.  He played in concert bands and small ensembles in high school and college.  During his years in Appleton, he sang in a number of church and community choral groups. He came into his own as a jazz musician at that time too,  playing baritone saxophone with the Lawrence University Jazz Lab band as well as other groups.  In more recent years, he greatly enjoyed playing with and arranging music for the Munising Community Band and the Westerly Winds of Marquette.  Following Pat’s death, Dick married Nan Taube on September 12, 1987.  Dick and Nan lived in Munising where Dick retired from Kimberly Clark after over thirty years of service. Dick and Nan enjoyed camping together, cross country skiing, and traveling to Florida.  They loved spending time with their dogs Midnight and Winnie.  Dick served for many years on Munising’s City Commission.  In addition to being a musician, Dick expressed his creativity in a number of other ways.  He was an accomplished woodworker who made many beautiful furniture pieces that he shared with family and friends.  He also shared the many fishing flies he enjoyed tying.  Dick also loved cooking and baking.  He planted many fruit trees in his yard, knowing that he might never see them grow to maturity, but nevertheless enjoying the way they would bloom every spring and the fruit that they produced.  Most important to him was seeing his family grow and thrive.  He was lovingly known as ‘Grandpa Dick’ by many in his extended family.         

Dick is survived by his wife – Nan Taube Bornslaeger; children – Elayne (Mike) Bornslaeger Bednar, Dedrik Bornslaeger, Margaretta (D.J. Raica) Larson, Christie (Stan) Gerou, and Suzanne Taube; son-in-law – William Scheuerman; brother – Robert (Judy) Bornslaeger; sister-in-law – Karin (Dick) Madigan; brother-in-law – Sten (Jane) Taube; as well as numerous cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Bill Reitmeyer and Stephen Bornslaeger, wife Patricia, and daughter Andrea Bornslaeger Scheuerman.

          A memorial service will be held at a later date, and interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery.  Dick’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.

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