Richard James Butt, age 80, of Oshkosh, went home to heaven on January 3, 2021, at Bethel Home in Oshkosh.

On July 6, 1940, Richard was born in Oshkosh to the late Donald and Violet (Kohnke) Butt, and was baptized on October 27, 1940. Dick graduated from Oshkosh High School, where he played on the basketball team. He went on to study at UW-Oshkosh and became a police officer. He continued his education by attending ongoing classes in police training. Richard married Verna (Graper) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Oshkosh on February 27, 1982. 

From 1963 until 1994 Richard was employed by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. During his time with the Sheriff’s Department, he was a member of the S.W.A.T. Team and the Boat Patrol. Dick’s “claim to fame” at the Sheriff’s Department was crashing the most squad cars (5). He was also employed part time by SNC in the ‘70s, Schwab Properties for ten years, and United Auto Body from 1978 until 1981. Dick was a bailiff for two years, and also worked as a private contractor for the U.S. Post Office for a year. 

He was a member of Winnebago Lutheran Dartball League, Sheriff’s Department Golf League, the church council at St. Paul’s in Winneconne, and the counting committee and Martin Luther Men’s Club. In his free time, Dick enjoyed playing rec league basketball, golfing, dartball, fishing, cars and boating.

Richard is survived by his wife, Verna (Graper) Butt; his children, Kelly (Stacie) Butts, of Florida; Jeffery (Gina) Butts, of Texas; Kathleen (Tom) Weber; of Washington; his stepchildren, Debra Brand, of Oshkosh; Tammy Hornburg (fiancé Gary), of Oshkosh; Douglas (Marilou) Hornburg, of Oshkosh; grandchildren, Hahley Butt, Nicholas Butt, Dr. Eddy Butt, Alex Butt, Nathaniel (Teresa) Weber, Kassidy Weber (fiancé Matt); step-grandchildren, Christina (Richard) Jekiel, Michael Hornburg; brothers, Don (Sandy) Butt, Bob (Bobbi) Butt; and other relatives and friends.

Along with his parents, Dick was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Bud Graper, Bev Graper, Don Graper; and uncles, Bob Butts and Charlie Butts.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, January 8, 2021, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Martin Luther Ev. Lutheran Church 1526 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Tom Voss officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh. Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family with arrangements.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.