MADISON – Richard David “Lindy” Lindauer, age 77, of Madison, died on Sunday, March 1, 2015, surrounded by his family at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on Oct. 22, 1937, in Madison, the son of Walter Carl and Mary Margaret (Kelliher) Lindauer. He was united in marriage to Madonna Ruth Kurth on Nov. 28, 1960, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Madison, and together they raised four children. Dick served in the U.S. Army and then in the Army Reserves for eight years.

Dick served as a firefighter and paramedic with the Madison Fire Department for 35 years. He happily played Santa for the Madison Fire Department for local hospitalized children for 50 years. In his time away from the fire department, he managed a window cleaning business which he started shortly after he was married. He and his family loved to travel, and made trips to Europe, Ireland, Hawaii, and spent numerous vacations in Door County. He loved Sunday drives with his wife, Donna; loved his Badgers and Packers and hanging out with his friends in the back yard. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and loved St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. He was a devout Catholic who served for Mass for many years at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was a faithful member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

His family lovingly remembers him as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was a very compassionate, generous, and kind man who was always there, ready to lend a helping hand.

Dick is survived by his wife, Donna; three children, Julie Lindauer, Kevin Lindauer and Laura (Paul) Essen; and two grandchildren, Kiley and Ryan Essen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Jean; two brothers and a sister, Robert, Mary Jean and Wally.

The family extends their deep appreciation to the Madison Fire Department, Agrace HospiceCare, St. Mary’s Hospital and especially his dear, valued friends who were always there for him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, with Father Bill Nolan presiding. Entombment with military honors will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, Madison.

Memorials may be directed to Dick’s favorite charities, Empty Stocking Fund, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403, or online at journaltimes.com/toys; or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 .

Richard Lindauer

October 22, 1937 - March 01, 2015

Share photos of Richard