Commander (RET) Richard T. "Dick" Vallin, USN

Commander Richard (Dick) Vallin, age 86 passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 28, 1937, in Gary, Indiana to the late Roy and Dorothy (Newcomb) Vallin. They relocated to Racine when Dick was very young, where he attended St Patrick’s Grade School. Dick graduated from St Catherine’s High School in 1955.

After graduating high school, he went to St Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He graduated with a degree in accounting in 1959, and then was employed at J I Case Company as an accountant. On October 14, 1960, he was commissioned as an Ensign into the United States Navy. He served in the Navy for 24 years, retiring in 1984 as a Commander. Dick had 13 years of sea duty on various ships, his favorite being the USS Samuel Gompers. He taught NROTC at Northwestern University, served the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon, attended the U S Naval War College, and the U S Army War College, earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, and served three tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal three times, along with numerous other accommodations for his service over the years. He was a highly decorated Naval Officer.

On October 14, 1961, he married Mary Angela (Angie) Fazzari at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They raised two daughters together, Anne and Meri. Dick and Angie were wonderful parents. Both daughters are graduates of St Catherine’s High School and St Joseph’s College. This was something Dick was very proud of, as they followed in their father’s footsteps. Education was always extremely important to him.

His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Dan, Greg, MeriKate, Katey and Jack. They all called him Papa. Dick never missed a ballgame, concert, school event, or anything else they participated in. He always made time to do something special with each of his grandkids, whether it be a round of golf, a dinner out, a Bucks game, or a ride in his Ford Thunderbird.

After his retirement from the U S Navy, Dick embarked on his second career. He was the Director of the Racine Harbor Marina Project, and then President and CEO of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. (AMT) in Grafton, WI. AMT is a precision machining and assembly shop. He went to work first thing every morning for the last 33 years, making his employees and customers his number one priority.

In 2019, Dick received the Southeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year award and was honored by U S Representative Bryan Steil. He was given this award for his ongoing commitment to the armed forces and veterans who serve this county. He was so committed to those who serve this nation that he felt it was his duty to continue to serve them. He was involved in many different organizations, including the Department of Defense Wisconsin Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR) and was appointed the Wisconsin State Chair by the Assistant Secretary of Defense in 2010. He was also a member and President of WI-ESGR, Inc, the Chairman and a member of the 440th Airlift Wing Community Council, and on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, including being Treasurer and President over his 20-year tenure with the organization. He was President of the Milwaukee Navy League, a member of Milwaukee’s Armed Forces Week Committee since 1982, as well as a member of the Commissioning Committee for the USS Freedom, a Naval Ship built in Wisconsin. Dick also was able to lead the effort to bring the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds to Racine for airshows between 1989-1992. Dick later was very honored to be awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Public Service and the Department of Defense/ESGR Lifetime Achievement Award.

Along with the time and talent he gave to military organizations, he also was a member of the Roma Lodge, St Mary’s on the Lake and assisted with the start up of San Juan Diego Middle School. He was a member of St Catherine’s High School Foundation and inducted into St Catherine’s Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Alumni. He served as a member, Vice President and President of the Alumni Board and Board of Trustees at St Joseph’s College. Again, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Alumni. Dick never stopped giving back to the community.

He is survived by his daughters, Anne (Gene) Bock and Meri (George) Kenessey, grandchildren, Daniel (Hanny) Bock, Gregory Bock, MeriKatherine (Steven) Madsen Bock, Katherine Kenessey and Jack Kenessey, great-grandchild, Gordon Bock, brother, Robert (Jane) Vallin, sister-in-law, Theresa (Leonard) Montalbano, nephews and nieces, James (Patricia) Montalbano, Joseph (Catherine) Montalbano, Vickie (James) Noll, Joseph (Paula) Weill and Jesse (Bret) Niebruegge, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Angela Vallin, sister and brother-in-law Signe and James Weill, mother and father-in-law, Peter and Serafina Fazzari, and brother-in-law, Louis Fazzari.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Avenue, Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11:30am. Entombment with Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Highway 32. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00am-11:15am. A Roma Lodge Service will take place at 11:20am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Milwaukee Armed Services Committee, P O Box #572, Mequon, WI 53092-0572. This will help to fund events for local military members and veterans during Milwaukee Armed Forces Week, something both Angie and Dick looked forward to every year.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/SPTj53Qt8sg?feature=share