Dirk Racine
February 07, 1961 - December 16, 2023
Obituary
Verona - Dirk Racine, age 62, quietly passed away at his home on Saturday, December 16 surrounded by his wife of nearly 40 years Sue (Batt) Racine and their two cats. The day before he had enjoyed a bike ride with buddies and a holiday party with friends complete with steak dinner and a Jack & Coke.
Dirk had beat back cancer and dire warnings for nine years while living large and loving life. He and Sue adventured across the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Dirk and his ski buddies tackled the slopes of Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Calgary. He completed 65 ski days last year alone and skied Tyrol Basin in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin almost daily. He and his brother David Racine and nephew Brent Racine enjoyed a backroads motorcycle adventure in Vietnam. Dirk and Sue checked off her bucket list item of a polo camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
His list of activities and accomplishments was lengthy and ever-expanding. Along with his passion for downhill skiing, he enjoyed motorcycling, water skiing, cross-country skiing, golf, hiking, mountain biking and kayaking the rivers of southern Wisconsin. Dirk completed 11 “fourteeners” (mountain peaks at or above 14,000 feet), three Boston marathons, the Chicago Marathon, the Madison Marathon and three Ironman triathlons. Dirk refused to learn yoga. He was a regular at the Middleton Sport Bowl poker tournaments and an avid Green Bay Packers fan and Sheepshead player.
Dirk enjoyed a 30+ year career at Telephone & Data Systems serving as their Director of Treasury Systems before retiring in 2019. During that time, he built treasured friendships that he maintained long after retirement.
Dirk is survived by his loving wife and life adventure partner Sue (Batt) Racine, his brother David Racine, sister-in-law Linda Racine, niece Heather Racine Kessler and nephew Brent Racine and Brent’s wife Tracy Racine. He will be missed and celebrated by his hundreds of friends and fans. There will be a celebration of all things Dirk at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider skiing a run for Dirk at Tyrol Basin and donating to the Nature Conservancy and/or Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625