Richard Wachowiak

Thor – Richard Mark Wachowiak was born on Oct. 23rd, 1961, to Richard and Marcella Walters in Gary, Indiana. His parents raised him in Northwest Indiana along with his sisters Mary Frankovich and Katherine Walters. He was married to Melanie Fullman in 1985. Later he married Rebecca Wagner in 1991, with whom he had three children, Ricky (31), Jennifer (29), and Maggie (22). Most recently he was married to Judy (DeNio) Cassen in 2022.

Rick excelled in everything he did throughout life. At Hanover Central high school, he was awarded the Sousa award for national excellence in band, was named best Thespian in theater, and graduated Valedictorian of his class in ‘79. After high school he attended Purdue University, graduating in ‘83 with a bachelor’s degree and in ‘86 with a master’s degree, both in Nuclear Engineering. He was an avid participant and leader of the trumpet section in the university’s marching band. Additionally, he was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity.

Rick received many awards and recognitions throughout his career, but among his highest achievements are:
2003 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Certificate of Acclaims for outstanding service/technical contributions. 2008 Edison Award at GE for innovation and leadership in the development of the ESBWR Probabilistic Risk assessment simulations and 2017 Chauncey Award from EPRI for the Fukushima Daiichi Severe Accident Simulation and MAAP code enhancements.

Throughout his career, Rick worked at several nuclear engineering plants and engineering firms. He traveled extensively working on nuclear power design and nuclear safety domestically and abroad: Palisades Nuclear Generating Station in Covert Township, Michigan 1989; Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1989-1992; Gabor, Kenton, and Associates in Hinsdale, Illinois 1993-1995; Nebraska Public Power District in Brownsville, Nebraska 1995-2001; General Electric in Wilmington, North Carolina 2001-2010; Electric Power Research Institute in charlotte, North Carolina 2010-2020 (remote) and Jensen Hughes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2020-2022 (remote).

Rick was involved in encouraging and leading the hobbies of his children. He led the cub scout tribe for his son, coached his son’s soccer team, and his daughter’s volleyball team. He led both his son and daughter’s teams over time in Destination Imagination, taking them to state and global finals, respectively. He used his handiwork to help in any way possible, building sets for plays, floats for parades, and more. He loved watching his children enjoy and excel in the same hobbies he loved; music, theater, various sports, and science. Each of them connected with him through these outlets and were able to create special bonds through that.

Rick was an independent, an inventor, and a creative. He had a passion for animals, raising alpacas, peacocks, chickens, turkeys, etc. He will be remembered for his goofy humor always bringing a smile (or an eye roll), for being a go-to for designing and/or making just about anything, and was ever present for his children and family as the most loving father and partner.

Richard Mark Wachowiak passed unexpectedly on Oct. 16th, 2022, of a heart attack at his home in Thor, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

He is survived by his spouse; children; parents; sisters; many loved nieces and nephews and great niece and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 at 3 p.m., with visitation from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.