Walter Wederquist Obituary

Wederquist
Walter Richard Wederquist
May 14, 1932
April 13, 2022

Walter Richard "Dick" Wederquist was born near Randolph, Iowa on May 14, 1932 to Wallace Paul "Woody" Wederquist and Alma Cleo Bowen Wederquist. Woody, Alma, Dick, and his sister, Sara Lynn, moved to Hudson, Colorado in 1944. The family ran the Wederquist Family store in Hudson.
Dick started his college education at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, initially studying agronomy. In 1951 Dick enlisted in the Air Force and volunteered to go to Korea. He served at an air base working on radar and gun sights for the F86. Dick was honorably discharged from the Air Force at the end of 1954.
In the Fall of 1955 he returned to Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University, to study civil engineering. However, the music took over and he ended up changing his major to music. Some awesome experiences with choirs, and starring roles in musicals followed, and he chose to pass on his music knowledge and talent to others through teaching. Dick was an educator, counselor, and program coordinator for the next thirty years, wowing students, teachers, and countless fans at CU football games with his wonderful voice.
In 1964, while teaching at Irving High School, he would meet Sylvia Reinecke Penfold. Sylvia had two children, Marcia and Jeff. In 1966 Sylvia and Dick were married. They celebrated their 55th anniversary last fall. Dick and Sylvia had two boys, John Richard and Jason Howard.
In 1975 he completed a master's degree in guidance and counseling. Dick retired in 1987, and following Sylvia's retirement, Dick and Sylvia traveled the world. Dick leaves a lasting legacy with his family and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Woody; mother, Alma; and sister, Sara Lynn.
He is survived by his family, Sylvia, John (Cindy), Jason (Kelly), Marcia (Ray), Jeff (Gwen), Dennis, Lisa, and Sara Beth; twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Dick's memorial and celebration of life, 2:00PM, Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, 219 East Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. A reception will follow at the church.
Dick will be interred at the family cemetery, Ox Yoke Ranch, near Beulah, Wyoming later this summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be made to the charity of your choice.