Daniel Joseph Richardson, Msgt

Daniel Joseph Richardson, MSgt: November 1978 to April 15th 2010 Danny was an inspiring, passionate, adventurous man who lost his life doing what he loved most. On April 15th, 2010, Danny died in a boating accident on Castle Rock Lake. His extraordinary personality and his outrageous laugh touched the hearts and lives of everyone he knew. His life began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his big sister, Sarah, his mom, Sue and dad, Dave. As soon as he could walk, he was outside playing. When the cabin on the Little Wolf River came into his life at the age of 9, his enjoyment of all things outdoors became his passion. Danny went to grade school at St. Steven’s, and St. Sylvester’s in Milwaukee, and later attended High School at Pius Xl in Milwaukee where he played soccer and basketball. After High school, Danny studied Graphic Design at UW-Milwaukee while he lived with his sister, Sarah, on the east side. He had an enormous group of friends there, and created great memories with them. After his senior year in high school, he joined the 128th Air Refueling Wing, an Air National Guard base in Milwaukee. Danny worked as a graphic designer and photographer. He spent nine great years at the base, and was deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2002. Danny received many promotions and awards at the 128th ARW but what fulfilled him most were the many friends he made. At age 25, Danny became the Public Affairs Manager at the 115th Fighter Wing, an Air National Guard base in Madison, Wisconsin. He deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2006 and the winter of 2008 as a Weapon Systems Video Manager. He also covered many major events within the state, including the flooding in 2008, and the mass deployment of Army Guard troops in 2009. Additionally, he worked every summer at the military Youth Camp at Volk Field. Recently, he deployed to Afghanistan for three months as worked as a Weapons Systems Video Manager, and was a tremendous asset to the mission. Danny was an amazing videographer, photographer, and journalist; much of his work was featured in news outlets, including the Defense News, a major military newspaper. ? Fishing was Danny’s greatest passion in life- his way to connect with nature. He especially loved “smallies” (small-mouth bass) and would fish every second of his spare time. Between fishing on the ice and on the water, he hit every major lake and river in Wisconsin! Especially close to his heart was fishing at the cabin in his Old Town canoe with friends and family. Danny loved his cabin on the Little Wolf, and had notorious camping parties that he and his friends lovingly called “Dan Stock.” He thoroughly celebrated his friends and life at his cabin. He put his sweat and tears into making that cabin a wonderful place to stay. It was, and will always remain, his favorite place on earth. On August 30th, 2008, Danny married Cassie Belle Skelton. They met at the 115th Fighter wing in December of 2005, where they both worked. Both deployed to Iraq the summer of 2006 and knew that if they could survive a war together, they could survive marriage! On a snowmobiling trip to West Yellowstone, Danny proposed to Cassie Belle. They later bought a house on Lake Waubesa, and also adopted their first dog, Lina Lou. In November 2009, they bought a 12-acre ranch in Baraboo, WI, to start an animal sanctuary. Danny was an adoring, supportive husband who loved to travel with his wife. Their trips included house-boating on Crane Lake, motor-homing on Lake Kabetogama and adventures in Puerto Rico, Tucson and Key West. Danny was a courageous soldier, a faithful friend, and a loving husband. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Cassie Belle, his mom Sue, his dad, Dave, his sister, Sarah, his niece Marcella, his best friends, Keith and Kevin, friends on the south-side of Milwaukee, the 128th Air Refueling Wing, 115th Fighter Wing, and of course, the animals he saved. Thank you, Danny, for every day you gave us. Your life inspires us to live each day without regret and to love our friends and family unconditionally. We know you’re fishing up there – catch some big ones for us! Family, friends, and members of the Wisconsin National Guard will attend a celebration of Dan’s life at Truax Field, Madison, WI on May 14, 2010. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 - 6:45pm with the service to follow from 6:45-8:00pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Tom Eckl Memorial fund at any Associated Bank. In the spirit of spreading Danny’s passion for fishing, we are accepting donations of fishing gear (poles, lures, tackle boxes, etc) to be donated to a youth camp still to be determined. Pleas bring them with you on Friday!