Richard Vold Munz

September 20, 1935 – October 5, 2026

A golden heart stopped beating on October 5, 2026. Richard Vold Munz, age 91, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI.

Richard was born on September 20, 1935, in Madison, WI, to Jacob Anthony and Leone Marion Munz. He attended Madison East High School, graduating in 1953. Richard grew up on Sherman Avenue and pedaled newspapers throughout his middle and high school years to families in the Maple Bluff neighborhood. He also worked at Webcrafters Publishing Company as a lithographer and assistant foreman of Lithography Department from 1953-67. He then started his career in real estate as a real estate salesman/broker at Opitz Realty from 1967-68, becoming a partner in 1968-69. Upon realizing that he’d found his true passion, Richard founded Munz Corporation in April 1970, retiring in 1996, after turning over the reins to his adult children. He was a licensed Wisconsin real estate broker and securities principal, involved primarily in real estate developments, property management, and syndication of investment property. Munz Corporation developed and constructed over 3,500 rental apartment units and over 300,000 square feet of commercial space.

Additionally, Richard was involved, and held positions, in many organizations over his professional career, including: Madison Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Realtors, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Greater Madison Board of Realtors, National Apartment Association (National Director 1971-74), Wisconsin Apartment Association (President 1972-74), Madison Apartment Association (President 1970-71), Real Estate Securities and Syndication Institute, and National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Offices held and additional contributions included: City of Madison Mayor’s Housing Task Force, Chairman of the Madison Apartment Owner’s Public Relations Committee, Committee Member of the National Apartment Owner’s Association Public Relations Committee, Committee Member of the Wisconsin Realtors Association Economic Development Committee, Committee Member of the Mayor’s Arson Task Force, Director of Real Estate Securities and Syndication Institute, Director of Metropolitan YMCA, Director of Health Care Associates, Director of Lake City Bank, Director of United Bank, Director of Valley Bank, Director of Madison Club, Director and Chairman of Downtown Madison Partners, Inc., Trustee of Edgewood College, Director and President of Maple Bluff Country Club, Founder and Director of Capitol Bank, and founding member of Cars Curing Cancer, UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital, Madison, WI.

Richard was the consummate car enthusiast. Over the years, he personally owned more than 300 automobiles and more than 50 motorcycles. Richard owned everything from early V-8 Fords and Mercury’s to a selection from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. He could remember every single car and motorcycle that he owned, along with the stories of how they found their way into his collection. Richard was already developing a passion for cars by the time he reached age 9 or 10, but he was always particular to Fords. His first purchase at age 16 was a 1940 Ford Standard Coupe that he bought for $75. In the early ‘50’s, while in high school, Richard had a work credit that allowed him to leave school one hour early. He had a job at Hults’ Chevrolet, where he worked in the body shop, working as a lot boy and washing cars. Richard married young, at just 19 years old, and for many years his cars reflected his priorities, with family-oriented models including a 1953 Ford Country Squire station wagon. But as his children grew, so did his desire to get back to the cars he was truly passionate about. In 1972, at the age of 37, Richard bought an Elkhart Green 1972 Corvette Convertible with 3,000 miles, marking the beginning of his collecting. In the 1980’s, a building on East Johnson Street in Madison, WI became available. Richard had worked there as a kid back in the ‘50’s. When he bought the building, it was in serious need of repairs. It had been built in 1929 by Madison Oil Co. In 1947, the building was sold to Checker Cab Co. In the ‘50’s, he worked at Checker Cab for no pay to be able to work on his cars. He washed taxicabs, changed the oil, and just about anything they needed him to do. He worked for nothing so he could have a place to work on his 1947 Ford Convertible. The building had internal ramps so you could drive cars inside it from the lower level to the top floor. So thus began the RVM Classics era, filling up all three levels with automobiles, motorcycles, and hundreds of pieces of road art. But by far, most important to Richard were the countless car-enthusiast friendships he treasured from the east coast to the west coast.

Richard married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Sprague, in 1955. They welcomed six children over the next 11 years; John, Bob, Tom, Sherry, Bill, and Steve, and eventually settled in Monona, WI. Following their divorce, he met and married Ann Marie (DeDe) Namio, in 1977. They remodeled a home in Waunakee, where they built a beautiful life for almost 50 years. Richard and DeDe enjoyed golfing, travel, and winters in Boca Raton, FL, where Richard was an active member of the Broken Sound Country Club community. Richard was also an avid outdoorsman/hunter, loved spending time at the family cabin up north, and loved travelling the country to attend hundreds of car events and auctions over the years. But Richard’s greatest pride and joy were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He relished in attending their baptisms, first communions, birthday celebrations, sporting events, weddings, holidays, and so much more. As young adults, he took immeasurable pride and joy in watching his children hold various roles at Munz Corporation, or carving their own professional paths, always emulating his immense work ethic to always give 110%. He was always available to listen, give advice, mentor, and support his children and grandchildren through every twist and turn of their lives, as well as going on vacations and travelling the world with them. He called just to say hi and looked forward to every family get-together, rarely missing a gathering. He never judged our flaws, but was, instead, generous beyond measure. He taught us that if you get knocked down, you get back up, and if one door closes, another one opens up.

Richard is survived by his wife of 49 years, DeDe; his children, John Munz (Cheryl Campbell), Tom (Shawn) Munz, Sherry Munz-Boyle, Bill (Kathy) Munz, and Steve (DeAnn) Munz; stepdaughter, Susan Ehle-Lloyd; thirteen grandchildren, Robert (Brandi) Munz, Jennifer (Travis Higgins) Worner, Julie (Steve) Zimmerschied, Jill Munz, Kelly Boyle, Katelyn (Alex) Yount, Joe Boyle (Allie Holtz), Adrianne Munz (Jerry Gilbert), Michael Munz, Niki (David) Presser, Hailey Munz, Jacob Munz, and step-grandson, Christopher (C.J.) (Colleen) Ehle; twelve great-grandchildren, Madisyn & Camryn Munz, Miles Worner, Ava & Brielle Zimmerschied, Arianna Eddins, Beckett & Nolan Yount, Opal, Pearl & Ozzie Presser, and step-great-granddaughter, Maisy Ehle; siblings, Suzanne (Paul) Buckner, Kathleen (Al) Reiner, and Jim Munz; sisters-in-law, Jane (Fluffy) Lien and Kathy (Stan) Reed; nephews, Cord Buckner and Randy Sprague; nieces, Cari Sprague and Cami Reid; numerous additional nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Munz and Namio families; and his sweet dog, Sophie, who Richard dearly loved. He also acquired countless friends over the years from all walks of life. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Pat; his son, Bob Munz; his granddaughter, Ashly Munz; his daughter-in-law, Jessie Munz; his son-in-law, Steve Boyle, his sister-in-law, Josephine (JoJo) Terzich; his father and mother-in-law, Joe & Caroline Namio; his former in-laws, Dr. John (Emily) Sprague; and former brother and sister-in-law, Jack (Mary) Sprague.

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Richard Schollmeyer for his 46 years of unwavering friendship, love, care, and commitment to our father throughout every chapter of his life; Munz Corporation, RVM Classics, family, and homestead. Thank you for always being there for Dad. We also extend our immeasurable gratitude to the caring doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their deeply compassionate care of Dad. And last, but not least, we would also like to thank Dad’s many friends and loved ones for your outpouring of love and support. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorials given in Richard’s name be sent directly to a charitable organization of your choice.

A private family service will be held.

God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come with me”. With tearful eyes we watched you as you slowly slipped away, and though we loved you dearly, we couldn’t make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, your tired hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best! We will love you forever and always, Dad; rest in much-deserved eternal peace, rocking out to your favorite Frank Sinatra song, “My Way”. You did indeed do it your way, Dad.

To view full details or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257

Richard Vold Munz

September 20, 1935 - October 05, 2026

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