Richard L. Adams

Passed away at the Appleton Medical Center on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at the age of 84. Dick was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 7, 1920, son of the late Perry and Lillian (Baumgart) Adams. As a young man, his interest quickly turned to the excitement of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all that surrounded it. He worked at the Speedway as a young man, but even after relocating to Appleton, his interest remained keen. Before the Indianapolis 500 was nationally televised, Dick covered the race, interviewed the drivers, and sent the films and recordings back to the area for the local print and news media. Dick had attended every Indy 500 for more than fifty years. Here in the area, he was affectionately known as “Mr. 500”, and if you needed to know anything about the race, Richard Adams was the man to seek. World War II broke out on his 21st birthday, and Dick answered the call by joining the United States Navy. As a member of the Seabees, he was stationed in the Phillipines. Dick’s professional career in Appleton spanned some forty-six years, having owned and operated Bonded Collectors in Appleton’s Zuelke Building from 1953 until the time of his retirement in 1999. He was a former member of the Appleton Downtown Noon Rotary Club, the B.P.O.E., the Appleton Yacht Club, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Old Timer’s Club, and the Appleton Jaycees. In his younger years, he played big band music in Oshkosh where many will know him as “Oz Adams and his band.” An avid Green Bay Packer fan, Dick enjoyed his daily meetings at the Appleton City Centre with his friends and “senior advisors.”

Dick is survived by his wife: Kay (nee Baldwin) Adams of Appleton; a son: Steve (Diane) Adams of Kimberly and their son Barry; a daughter: Susan (Thomas) Fischer of McFarland, Wisconsin and their sons Devin and Matthew; a sister: Barbara (Floyd) Wambold of Oshkosh; a niece: Linda (Bill) Smith of Oshkosh and their son Brian; a sister-in-law: Lois Gottfried of Danbury, Connecticut and her entire family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Dick will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, December 27, 2004 at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Nolan Gnewuch officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at the Appleton Medical Center, 4-North. You took such wonderful care of Dick and all of us. You are all very special people, and your kindness, gentleness, and compassion will never be forgotten. Thank you all so very much.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231