OBITUARY Print
Richard “Dick” Oldenburg, 77, of Washington, Missouri peacefully passed away on March 29, 2021. Mr. Oldenburg, son of the late Robert and Rose Oldenburg of Galena Illinois, was born June 2, 1943 in Dubuque, Iowa. He received his secondary education from Galena High School. In 1966 he was drafted by the United States Army and served two years in Frankfurt, Germany. He earned his BA in Geography from the University Wisconsin-Platteville in 1972. On October 6, 1972 he was united in marriage to Catherine Malone Oldenburg. He then earned his MA in Urban and Regional Planning from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville in 1975. In 1975, Dick was employed by Franklin County as an Assistant Planning Director and later served as Director of Planning. In 1986, Dick became the first Director of Economic Development for the City of Washington, retiring in 2012.
Dick enjoyed gardening, cycling, reading a panoply of different newspapers and magazines, cooking, classical music, and wine. He was a long-standing member of the Washington Rotary Club and active parishioner of St. Francis Borgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Roger of Galena, Illinois. Among his survivors are his wife Cathie Oldenburg of Washington; three sons, Christopher Oldenburg and wife Carolyn of Jacksonville, Illinois; Daniel Oldenburg and wife Monica of Lincoln Nebraska, and Thomas Oldenburg and wife Laura of St. Louis, Missouri; siblings Roseanne Meinholz and husband Gary of Aurora, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren, Clare, Dominic, Cecilia Giana, Joseph, Brigid, Cora, Annaliese, Marin, Will, Ella, Noah, and Joan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations can be made to any local food bank, Feed America, Franklin County Community Resource Board (to aid the homeless) and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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Services
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Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home
1206 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 604, Washington, MOTribute Wall
3 trees planted in memory of Richard
Ron and Libby Miller
April 5, 2021 7:30 PMTo our cousin, Dick, who always had a friendly ‘hello’, a smile on his face, and words of wisdom that he shared with everyone. We love you and will miss you!
God Bless!
Ron & Libby
Ron and Libby Miller
A Memorial Tree was ordered in memory of Richard R. Oldenburg by Ron and Libby Miller. Plant a Tree
Roseann and Gary Meinholz
April 5, 2021 4:11 PMTo my beloved brother’s family, My sorrow runs deep and I am so, so sorry for your loss. I shall miss him terribly. I have many wonderful memories of my brother and his family. May God bless you
Roseann and Gary Meinholz
A Memorial Tree was ordered in memory of Richard R. Oldenburg by Roseann and Gary Meinholz. Plant a Tree
Anna Rose Glamann
April 5, 2021 11:55 AMCathie. I am sorry for your loss.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Richard R. Oldenburg
April 2, 2021 10:39 AMWe are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home
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