Richard Lange

Richard “Rich” Joseph Lange passed away on November 28, 2015, at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, at the age of 61, after a year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer.

Rich was born on August 13, 1954, in Dubuque, Iowa, to John and Evelyn (Digman) Lange. He graduated from Platteville High School in 1972. He married Patty McGuire on September 9, 1978. They were married for 37 years and had five wonderful children, Becky (Shawn) Fenn, Karen (Jeremy) Smith, Cheryl Lange, Rachel Lange, and Adam Lange, and a granddaughter, Natalie Fenn.

Rich loved farming and was proud to farm alongside his dad. Together, they made the decision to farm organically, and in 1994, they became members of the Organic Valley Cooperative. Rich started an organic meat business, Lange Farm Meats, in 1995. He was passionate about organic farming and the organic meat industry, and he enjoyed sharing that passion with the numerous stores, restaurants, customers, and organizations he worked so closely with. He was very thankful for all of the relationships he formed through Lange Farm Meats.

Rich enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, antique tractor pulling, and being part of his card club. Rich had his commercial pilot's license and flew for many years. He was on the Board of Directors for Jamestown Mutual Insurance for over 30 years and served as Township Supervisor for the Platteville Township for two consecutive terms. He also served on many organic farming advisory boards over the past 25 years. He was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Mary's Parish.

Rich is survived by his wife, his five children, and his granddaughter; his father, John Lange; two brothers, Gary Lange (Robert Van Dyke) and Joe (Sandy) Lange; five sisters, Mary Jane (Kevin) Colopy, Ann (Larry) Miesen, Pat (Dave) Melzer, Joan (Randy) Check, and Cathy (Herb) Yanke; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn (Digman) Lange; his grandparents, August and Josephine Digman, and Frank and Louise Lange; his mother-in-law, Lorraine McGuire; and two sisters-in-law, Jeanne McGuire and Linda McGuire.
The family would like to thank the staff at Upland Hills Health, Upland Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Upland Hills Hospice for the wonderful care Rich received.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 3, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Rev. Faustino Ruiz and Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville, with a luncheon to follow. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there will be a parish rosary at 3:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.