Richard Kramer

CASA GRANDE - Richard Thomas Kramer, 81, of Casa Grande died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Jan. 9, 2018.

Mr. Kramer was born on Oct. 3, 1936, in Welcome, Minnesota, to Anthony and Dorothy (Snyder) Kramer. After high school graduation he began working at IBM and was a member of the original Piccolo computer team. In December 1958 he married the love of his life, Judy Schmillen, a girl he met at a party and had the courage to ask out for a Coke and fries.

Over the years he became a 4-H Key Award winner, a scoutmaster, a member of the Order of the Arrow and YMCA treasurer. In 1991 he retired, and the couple moved north to a log cabin on the lake in Longville, Minnesota. In 1999 they decided to see the nation and traveled in their RV until 2007, when they located in Casa Grande. He had a love for life and was an avid rock collector and a master woodsman. He also enjoyed metal detecting, hunting, camping and fishing, despite the fact he couldn’t swim. He enjoyed metalsmithing, card games, bingo, dirt track stock car races and even rode cattle in his younger years. His shadow was Tulip, his little brown dog.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Whittle, and is survived by his loving wife of 59 years; three sons, Timothy, Thomas and Todd Kramer; a daughter, Elizabeth Gahwiler; and six grandchildren.

Memorial service to be announced later.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in charge of arrangements.