Richard Thomas Austin

After a magnificent sunset on February 28, 2022, Richard Thomas Austin of Walworth, WI, age 71, finished his race on earth and began eternity with the Lord.
Born May 12, 1950 in Oak Park, Illinois, to the late Eugene Paul Austin and Margaret Ann (Thomas) Austin, Rich was the second child of eight and the oldest son. The family lived in Oak Park where he attended St. Giles Catholic School and defended the neighborhood alleys with his younger brother and lifetime partner in crime, Larry. Rich continued at Oak Park High School before joining the U.S. Coast Guard, serving aboard the USCGC Courier. When asked about those years he would get a twinkle in his eye, while smirking, “When it gets too rough for the Navy, it’s just right for the Coast Guard.”
After his active duty in the Coast Guard, Rich moved to be near his family who had relocated their home, and later their business, to the Lake Geneva, WI area. He soon joined the Fontana Fire & Rescue as one of Walworth County’s first Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). He drove a school bus for students with special needs, worked the summer beat as a police officer in Fontana, and even plowed snow with Vern’s Standard station. Rich successfully ran the Dari Ripple (now Meggy Moo’s) for 3 seasons, leaving his lasting mark on the community by bringing Widgets to the menu.
After a brief previous introduction, Rich “ran into” the beautiful Linda Susan (“Susie”) Kolnik while she was at work in the summer of ‘71. He charmingly asked if, She wanted to take him on a date? She claimed to be broke so he quickly changed his line. 50 years later, he considered Linda to be God’s greatest gift to him and openly marveled at how he had married a woman he would never deserve. His tender love and fierce commitment to Linda was a foundational bedrock for his life.
In 1969 Rich’s parents bought a small nursing home outside of Walworth and he was hired as their first employee. With his mother serving as the Director of Nursing, they ran the business together for the next 10 years until he and Linda purchased it from his parents. 53 years later Golden Years has expanded their services and locations to two campuses and has been home to thousands. Rich appreciated working beside dear friends, trusted colleagues and family members in serving older adults and providing them with a dignified, safe, and comfortable place to live.
Rich and Linda raised 8 children. Over the years they hosted hundreds of birthday parties, holidays, family dinners and gatherings. They logged countless hours of uncomfortable seating at sports games, school programs and graduations. They celebrated weddings, delighting as each beloved in-law was added to the family tree. Rich was especially skilled at maintaining a personal connection with each of his 25 grandchildren and had a talent for making the babies in the room belly laugh with his playful antics.
Some Austin family vacations have now reached the point of legend, with stories of menacing bears and large vehicles impossibly loaded down with kids and luggage. Rich loved dreaming about and planning for time away with his family. Each time he called he would give you the

updated count on how many days until the next get away. Though his responsibilities at home always loomed large and required much, Rich loved to travel and was quick to absorb all he saw and eager to share his experiences with others. He even had several opportunities to travel abroad with some of his children and each time returned to Walworth filled with a renewed sense of appreciation and wonder.
While growing Golden Years and his family, Rich made time to serve on the school board of Faith Christian School, including a stretch of years as board president. He also served on the board of Inspiration Ministries (then called The Christian League for the Handicapped). He was a devoted member of Grace Church where he served in many roles over the years, most notably as Treasurer and as Church Chairman. Rich and Linda were foundational supporters of Safe Families for Children. They also helped build a school in Haiti through Children’s World Impact.
Over the years, Rich received much recognition and many important awards for his community service and civic leadership. These wonderful gestures always humbled him. He preferred to be private, if not secretive in his generosity and was quick to help in quiet, unsung ways. He would likely tell you that his most favorite way to receive thanks was in the joy-filled smiles from the students at Lakeland School in Elkhorn, when he visited them each December dressed as Santa Claus. Ever the secret giver of gifts, Rich always left his time playing Santa certain that he had received much more.
He is survived by his loving wife Linda (Kolnik) Austin, his children, Malinda (Chad) Rynbrandt, Ryan (Katina) Austin, Kristi Austin-Campbell, Jeffery (Kirsten) Austin, Jacob (Kate) Austin, Katie (Jon) Stankevitz, Emily (Tim) Dennison, and Grant (Katelyn) Austin and 25 beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Suzanne (Charles) Wells, Larry (Joanne) Austin, Mary Ellen Sanderson, Deborah (Jay) Graveen, Missy (Jamie) Senft, and Julie (Steve) Bergholtz. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, youngest brother ‘Mr. Tom Austin’, brother in-law John Sanderson, as well as his beloved son-in law Rob Campbell, niece Bridget Austin, and nephews Douglas Allen and Jonathan Allen.
The family would like to express profound gratitude to the remarkable staff of Golden Years Lake Geneva for the hospitality, kindness, and dignity they afforded Rich and his family in his final days. It was a mercy in his passing to watch him receive the compassion and care that he had spent his career providing for others.
A funeral service will be held Monday, March 7th, at 1pm at Grace Church (500 S. Main Street, Walworth, WI, 53184) followed by a Celebration of Life at The Abbey, Fontana, WI from 3-7pm. He will be privately interred at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Williams Bay, WI.
Rich asked that anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory would consider a financial gift to Grace Church (of Walworth) to assist in paying off the remaining balance of their mortgage. Among his greatest desires was to help the church, “the Bride of Christ,” be free of its financial debts so it can more fully pursue its mission.

Financial gifts can be sent to Grace Church with “In memory of Rich Austin” written on the memo line of the check. Checks can be placed in the Blessing box at the Welcome Center or mailed to 500 S Main Street in Walworth, WI 53184.

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