Richard Wik

With family at his side, Richard L. Wik, age 81, of Faulkton, passed into his heavenly home, Thursday, March 15, 2018, at his winter home in Fort Myers, Florida, after a long stuggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Memorial Service celebrating Richard’s life was held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the United Church of Faulkton. Burial followed at the Millard Cemetery.

Richard Lyle Wik was born November 6, 1936, in Redfield, South Dakota to Milton and Grace (Riser) Wik. Richard developed his Christian faith, strong work ethic, good decision-making skills, and problem-solving ability working on the family farm at Norbeck, near Faulkton, South Dakota. Even though he later pursued a business career, he was a farmer at heart and spent vacations and time after retirement planting and harvesting.

August 17, 1958, Richard married his sweetheart, Jean Beck, to which union two beloved children, Steve and Lori, were born.

He enrolled in the School of Business at Northern State College in 1956 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1960. After graduation he was employed by the Aberdeen American News in sales. In 1963 he moved to Bloomington, Minnesota, and began working for Merrill Burgess at Burgess-Beckwith Publishing Company as their first traveling salesman. During his career with Burgess, Richard served as sales manager, vice president of sales, and general manager. He eventually had the option to purchase the company, making him the CEO of what he renamed Burgess International Group, Inc., which became a diversified organization with 38 locations around the nation.

Richard was responsible for the concept of custom publishing. In the mid-80s, he was awarded the Book Printer of the Year Award. He was among the top 50 Quick Printers in the US

He served his community as president of the Publisher's Round Table, being involved in the Minneapolis Sales and Marketing Executives organization, as chairman of the PTA, as leader in cub scouts and fundraising for a program of teens at risk.

In 2000 Richard sold his company and retired. He and his wife, Jean spent summers in South Dakota and winters in Ft. Myers, Florida.

He was an avid bird hunter and fisherman, taking trips to Alaska, Cabo San Lucas, Argentina and Costa Rica. As a result of his hunting interest, he restored the Norbeck Baptist Church into a hunting lodge, which he operated from 2006-2011.

He was a private pilot and enjoyed many cross-country trips in his Mooney airplane. He and Jean journeyed to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Alaska and Hawaii as well as many sites in the continental US.

He enjoyed boating, water skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling and golf. He was interested in restoring antiques and old vehicles, the most recent being the restoration of a 1952 pickup.

Most of all Richard loved time with his family. It was his pleasure to farm with his son, Steve, of whom he was especially proud, and to spend fun times with daughter, Lori. He especially enjoyed sharing wolf stories with his special granddaughters, Allison and Susan, when they were young as well as later giving them advice and mentoring their careers.

Richard was a friend to all who knew him; he loved his Savior Jesus and had a positive outlook on life displayed by his generous, Christian attitude to all he met.

Richard will be deeply missed by Jean, his wife of 59 ½ years; his son, Steve (Janet) of rural Faulkton, SD; daughter, Lori, of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughter, Allison (Brady) Kleffman along with great grandson, Lleyton and great granddaughter Eden Grace of Aberdeen, SD, and granddaughter Susan Wik of Sioux Falls, SD. He is survived by his brother Robert (Nancy) Wik of Gregory, SD; his sister Marilyn (Jim) Schlekeway of Mobridge, SD; and his brother-in-law, John Beck of Aberdeen, SD; as well as nieces and nephews and countless friends and co-workers.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Milton and Grace Wik; his in-laws, Herman and Ferdina Beck Kalt; and sister-in-law, Vera Finney Wik.

Memorials may be given to Millard Cemetery fund, Faulkton Area Medical Center, or Hope Hospice, Fort Myers, FL.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Richard’s arrangements.