If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you." WINNIE THE POOH

Richard "Rick" T. Hubert passed away peacefully on August 18th, surrounded by family. Rick was born July 21, 1948, in Wausau, and was the first of four children born to Thomas and Delores (Breske) Hubert. The young family started out in Rothschild where Rick's dad worked at the paper mill, but soon moved to a dairy farm in Birnamwood where Rick tended to all the chores that came with being a farm boy. He often said he had a job since the day he was old enough to tie his own shoes. Even with all the work, between milking cows and baling hay, Rick still made time for his Great Aunt Sadie to spoil him rotten. It was no secret that he was her absolute favorite. Rick soon had a sidekick too, his sister, Dianne. They got into mischief, as best buddies do, painting the white-washed rocks that lined the driveway with mud or pretending to be carpenters, dressed in coveralls and pounding every nail they could find into the boards on the corn crib. They picked fresh vegetables from the garden and would take them to their camp site, a spot over the hill in the pasture behind the barn. From those early days on the farm, Rick and Dianne kindled a friendship that lasted their whole lives. The bond they formed and their trust in each other never faltered even in later years when life became difficult.

After some time, the family moved to Wittenberg, where Rick worked the soda fountain in Hubert's Restaurant and delivered newspapers when he wasn't in school. He also got two more sisters. They would rely on "Ricky" to fix all the childhood problems that cropped up before Mom and Dad found out. The family's final move was to Turner Street in Wausau. It was a wonderful neighborhood with lots of kids and no worries. In the summer there was red light green light, tag, and baseball. In the winter there were snow forts, snowball fights, and sledding down the hill. Rick mastered his role as "big brother" with ease, pride, and most of all a gentle heart. He quickly discovered that a Hershey bar, a ride on his shoulders, a bedtime song, or just a hug could fix almost any of his sisters' troubles.

Rick continued to take on other new jobs as well, working at several fast food restaurants, and finally the Sinclair Gas Station. The station had a rusty, ramshackle Ford pick-up truck that he would drive from time to time. The truck didn't have a radio, so Rick would roll the windows down and sing. Hank Williams was a favorite along with many other country greats. He would belt out "Your Cheatin' Heart" or "Love Sick Blues" with no reservation. Rick often practiced his singing skills in front of a large mirror while listening to a favorite album on the stereo at a deafening volume. At night he would sing the whole house to sleep. Rick attended Wausau Senior High School where he was on the cross country, track, and basketball teams. On the weekends he played baseball with his uncles, on the Eland Baseball Team. Rick graduated in 1966 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and studied conservation until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in September, 1967. He was stationed at Ent Air Force Base and the Air Force Academy both in Colorado Springs. He worked as a veterinary technician and served his country honorably and was discharged in the rank of Sergeant in January, 1970. Rick returned to Wausau and worked for several different companies through the years: American Can, Engineered Curtainwall, and Gordon Aluminum, where he was Vice President of Sales. Rick became a successful salesman, and for a time he owned and operated the Legacy Bar until retiring in 2011.

Rick's true passions though were hunting and fishing. He loved nothing better than being in a deer stand or at the edge of a trout stream, no matter how miserable the weather. He spent a lifetime in the backwoods around Eland, Elderon, and Wittenberg trying to outsmart a "monster" buck. He knew the Embarrass River and the Spranger Creek like the back of his hand and memorized each rock or log that held a brown or brook trout. Rick's love of nature was a gift passed down from his father. The ability to appreciate its beauty and understand his niche in it all, gave him peace of mind. Rick also valued his membership in the Wausau Man of Honor Society; knowing that the time he donated helped needy veterans and their families meant a lot to him.

Rick married his "together forever" partner, Phyllis Millenbah, on May 12, 2023. They were kindred spirits. They treasured their time together enjoying the outdoors. Rick was happy to have a fishing and hunting partner. In the evenings they would sit outside their home enjoying the birds and small animals. Rick would coax them into eating sunflower seeds out of his hand while Phyllis took photos.

Rick had a favorite poem by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken." A man came to a fork in the road. He regretted not being able to walk both paths. He studied each one closely. He chose the second path and thought he could return someday and travel the first. Quickly he recognized that would be impossible and that he would never get a second chance to walk the first path. Then, as if looking back on his choice from a place in the future, the man realized that the consequences of choosing the road less traveled would make all the difference in his life. Rick imagined himself as the man in this poem.

Rick lived a full life, but he and those who loved him most were constantly challenged by the many serious consequences of his lifelong battle with alcoholism. On March 1, 2024, Rick celebrated his one-year anniversary of being sober. It was a proud day.

Now, just like the song by Craig Campbell, Rick is enjoying his time, on the "Outskirts of Heaven."

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Hubert, Wausau; Children: Theresa, Samuel, Amanda, Thomas, and Richard (Lisa), Appleton, WI; Step-children: Doug, Jeff, Jackie, and Katie; Grandchildren: Ashley, Ianna, Wyatt, Camilla, and Clayton; Step-grandchildren: Logan and Hunter; Sisters: Dianne Lepak, Wausau, Amanda Quick (Robert Krysiak), Antioch, IL, and Arla (Chuck) Rogers, Fisher, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Michael Lepak.

Cremation will be followed by a private inurnment at Restlawn Memorial Mausoleum in Wausau.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be given expressed at MWCS.WS