CEDAR GROVE - Richard Charles Bakkom of Cedar Grove passed from this world on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000. Dick was born on Feb. 13, 1924, to Irma and Einar Bakkom in Zenda.

Dick was raised on his family’s farms in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He graduated from Hebron High School in 1942. After attending the University of Illinois for a short time, he enlisted in the Army and served with the Charlie Battery of the 666th Field Artillery Battalion. With the 666th, he served in the Battle of the Bulge, was in combat with his unit throughout the European Theater and was in the occupational forces following the end of the war. Following service to his country, he attended Carroll College in Waukesha, was a member of the Beta Pi Upsilon fraternity and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

Dick began his career with International Harvester in 1948. On Feb. 2, 1950, he married Sally Ann Armitage of Waukesha. Dick and his family lived in various locations in the East and Midwest during his 35-year career with International Harvester. Dick retired as world-wide marketing manager of the Scout line of trucks within International Harvester’s Motor Truck Division. Always active and sharing his talents, retirement was no exception. Dick has served in various capacities on the Town of Holland Planning Borad, the Cedar Grove School Board, the Cedar Grove United Fund, the East Holland Citizens League and Lake Shore Association. In addition, Dick’s hobbies included the design and construction of custom furniture.

Dick’s life is celebrated by his wife, Sally Bakkom of Cedar Grove; his son, David Bakkom of Ashland, Ore.; his daughter, Susan Thompson and her husband, Scott, and children Emily and Kirstin of Waukesha; and his sisters, Dorothy Wingerter of Aumsville, Ore., and Nancy McKnight of Turner, Ore.

For anyone wishing to make a memorial donation, the family suggests the Cedar Grove United Fund in Wisconsin.