Richard "Smiley" Ernest "Ernie" Roehrkasse's Obituary
Richard "Smiley" Ernest "Ernie" Roehrkasse
Richard Ernest Roehrkasse, 77, of Red Bud passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Red Bud Regional Hospital after a nine-year battle with Pulmonary Hypertension. He was born October 11, 1947, to Henry "Hank" and Anita (Holle) Roehrkasse. He married M. Helene (Koch) Roehrkasse on November 26, 1971, and she survives.
They were very fortunate to have been married for 53 years and blessed with two daughters, Melissa (Jeff) Krantz of Lake of the Ozarks and Amey (Mel) Stortzum of Oakville, Missouri. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Kassy (Tyler) Butterfield, Jacob (Karrigan) Krantz, Zachary Krantz, and Oliver Stortzum, along with two great grandchildren: Lincoln and Marley Butterfield. He is survived by one brother, Robert (Ann) Roehrkasse of Pewaukee, Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law: Deborah Chapman of Peculiar Missouri and Winifred (Carl) Rehmer of Red Bud. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends who were more like family.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Bonnie Roehrkasse; another sister-in-law, Catherine "Punkey" (Harold) Liefer, and one brother-in-law, Charles Koch.
Richard grew up in Red Bud, was a member of St.John's Lutheran Church, and graduated from Red Bud High School in 1965 as its Valedictorian. He continued his education at SIU Carbondale and graduated with a BS in Math and minor in Computer Science. He attended graduate school at the University of Illinois and earned a MA in Mathematics while working as a graduate assistant in the Math department. He worked in IT/Data Processing as a Systems Analyst in St. Louis and moved back to Red Bud in 1975 to raise his family. He then commuted to St. Louis daily for over thirty years.
Richard loved Red Bud and was involved in many civic activities after his return. He was appointed to the Red Bud Planning Commission where he served for over thirty years and was its Chairman for most of his tenure. The Red Bud Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year in 2011 for his community service. He was a member of the old St. Clement Hospital Board and a member of the Board of Directors of the former First State Bank. He was a member of the North County Country Club where he enjoyed a round of golf with friends, but also grilling for the club and various tournaments held as fund raisers. He was a proud member of the Red Bud Muskets, serving as its Treasurer for several years, lining the field, helping with the Soup/Shooting Match and other events, and making a presentation on their behalf to the Red Bud School Board to add football to their athletic program. He was appointed and then elected to the Board of Trustees to represent Sub Dist. #1 of Southwestern Illinois College which includes Red Bud and is non-pay, non-political position and served faithfully for over 30 years, two of which he was Chairman. He also served on several state committees for the Illinois Community College Association. His interest in promoting education was always a priority and was very proud of helping to secure the SWIC location in Red Bud.
He loved his family, especially the grandchildren and their dogs! He will be missed.
The visitation will be Sunday, June 8, from 2-6 P.M.at the funeral home and from 9-10 A.M. on Monday, June 9, at St. John's Lutheran Church with the Funeral service at 10 A.M. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials to the SWIC Foundation, Red Bud Muskets, or St. John's Lutheran Church.
Leesman Funeral Home in Red Bud is in charge of arrangements.
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