Richard Otis Garber

Richard Otis Garber, age 83 of De Pere, passed away this week following a courageous battle with Lymphoma. Richard was born on September 26, 1941, to the late Lester and Winifred (Whitney) Garber in St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up, Richard was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Clayton High School in Clayton, Missouri, he attended and graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Following college, he served in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. His time in the Army brought him to Pennsylvania where he met and married Mary Orr. Richard and Mary were married on June 11, 1966, in the Chapel at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where Richard was stationed at the time.

Following his time in the Army, he began a career in sales and marketing working for Lederle Pharmaceuticals in St. Louis, Missouri. Richard then took a job with Fort Howard Paper Company, which, after a few stops around the country, brought them to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1978. While at Fort Howard, he learned and lived the meaning of “Lombardi Time” – early was on time and on time was late. In the mid-80s, he joined Green Bay Packaging, and he ultimately became the Vice President and General Manager of the Folding Carton Division. He retired from Green Bay Packaging in 2007, and he was proud to see his legacy in the continued growth and success of the Folding Carton division. During his career in the paper industry, Rich enjoyed serving on the boards of the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) and the Private Label Manufacturing Association (PMLA). He also enjoyed his community involvement on the YMCA Board and at Union Congregational Church.

Throughout his life, he and Mary enjoyed traveling. This included many trips to Naples, Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii; visiting family in North Carolina and Montana; traveling abroad to many countries, returning many times to Germany and London; and many cruises together. Richard also enjoyed swimming and golfing. However, his love for his friends and family was most important to Richard. He stayed connected to his friends from all over the world as well as keeping in touch with his children and grandchildren. Everyone who knew and loved him will miss that contact.

Richard’s surviving family includes his wife, Mary; his son, Gary Richard Garber, and his wife, Mara Deutsch; his daughter, Laura Anne Garber, and her husband, Henry Wuensche; and 4 grandchildren: Allison Helen Garber, Samuel Kenneth Garber, Helen Sky Castillo-Madeen and her husband, Ricardo Castillo-Flores, and Henry Birch Madeen. He is further survived by his sister, Jane Collins, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives who meant so much to him. Preceding him in death are his parents; his in-laws, Kenneth and Helen Orr; and his brother-in-law, Gary Collins.

All are welcome to gather on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Union Congregational United Church of Christ, 716 S. Madison St., Green Bay, WI 54301. There will be a visitation from 9-11am, and the celebration of life service will be at 11am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name can be made to any of the following charities which were important to Richard and his family:

Cultivating Connections Montana: Cultivating Connections is dedicated to strengthening community bonds through food. Acting as a catalyst, their goal is to empower youth, grow food, and share knowledge. Donations can be made at https://cultivatingconnectionsmt.org/product/donations/ or by mail at 175 Skalkaho Hwy, Hamilton, MT 59840.

HEARTism: Heartism serves neurodivergent children and young adults in Hamilton, Montana by providing art, music, dance, nutrition, and life skill activities. Donations can be made at https://www.heartism406.org/ or by mail at P.O. Box 14, Corvallis, MT 59828.

The Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota. You can learn more about how to give at https://www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic/ways-to-give.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Matthew Ryan and Green Bay Oncology as well as Dr. David Richards, Prevea Health.