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   Richard Edward Wiehle, 82, of Remer, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the company of his beautiful wife of more than 55 years, Barbara. Born in Minneapolis, MN on May 20, 1942, to Dick and Betty Wiehle, Rich was a family man, a retired structural engineer, an avid hunter (read: obsessed) and a history scholar (especially military history).

   Rich and Barb were married in 1970 in Minneapolis, MN where they raised their two children, Kim and Tony, and six golden retrievers (though thankfully not at the same time)—Vader, Copper, Vegas, Sam, Max and Gus. Their small home in Bloomington, MN was always filled with laughter, vigorous debates and discussions, much barking, and, most importantly, love.

   Rich received his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and spent his entire professional career at Meyer Borgman Johnson (MBJ), fully retiring at the age of 72 in 2014. “Dick”, as he was professionally known, was the first non-named principal of MBJ, a role in which he served until stepping down from the partnership in 2003. Dick was valued, and will be fondly remembered, by his fellow MBJ principals and colleagues as an exceptional engineer, a teacher, mentor and friend over the course of his lengthy career.

   When Rich was not working or coaching one of Kim’s basketball or softball teams or attending one of Tony’s football games or track meets or taking Barb to the casinos, he could always be found trekking through a cornfield, bog or other rugged terrain in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska or Canada, hunting pheasants, ducks, turkeys or geese. He loved his bird hunting and his dogs. In fact, when confronted by one of his engineering colleagues about hunting Canadian geese which apparently are monogamous for life, Rich wryly responded, “Don’t worry. I shoot them both!” It may also be said that Rich single-handedly supported the police and sheriff departments along the I-35 corridor between Minnesota and Iowa with his collection of speeding violations.

   But the people closest to Rich will always remember him with a history book in his hands, perhaps having fallen asleep while reading about the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, VA or the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And there were invariably six or seven more books scattered throughout the house in every room. However, it was in his later years that Rich was able to share his love of military history with his grandson Tae. Together they were able to tour various museums and debate historical events where Rich would uncharacteristically defer to his grandson. Grandchildren have that special power; and Tae loved his grandpa “to the moon and back”!

Rich is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Betty; his brother, Dennis; and his sister, Mary. He is survived by his wife, Barb; his brother, Greg; his children, Kim and Tony; his daughter-in-law, Su-Hyun; and his grandson, Tae (and granddog, Munji).

   At this time, no memorial service has been planned. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in memory of Rich by visiting the Sympathy Store. Also, please feel free to post your memories and condolences at https://www.legacy.com/.

 

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