Richard "Rick" Leonhard

Richard “Rick” Leonhard, 57, of Sheboygan, went to his Savior, on Wednesday evening July 14, 2021.

As his battle with cancer overtook him, he was prepared and excited to meet his Lord, Jesus Christ. Rick passed at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born on February 26, 1964, in Sheboygan to Richard and Maryann (Wimmer) Leonhard. Rick graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1982; he was a proud player for North High Basketball and lead his team toward many victories with the nickname of “Hawk”.    After entering the United States Air Force Academy, he later graduated from Ripon College with a degree in Political Science. On October 19, 1991, he married the love of his life, Julie Schwark, at St Dominic Catholic Church. Julie and Rick shared a life of love, passion, and faith, and were blessed with three beautiful daughters.

Rick excelled at relationships and after tremendous success in the food packaging industry, Rick co-founded Viking Masek Packaging Technologies. As CEO, Rick was admired as a caring and passionate leader/mentor to the team of 85 talented and treasured co-workers, and in 2020 Viking Masek was recognized as one of the best companies to work for in Wisconsin. Always building, Rick and his partners were completing the third expansion of the Viking Masek World Headquarters in Oostburg, Wisconsin, at the time of Rick’s passing.

The essence of Rick’s life was his faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. His faith never wavered as he entered into his final journey. He strengthened all who knew him with continued prayer of acceptance to the will of his Lord.

Rick is survived by his wife of 29 years, Julie; three daughters, Emma, Estelle, and Ellison; his parents, Richard, and Maryann; brothers, Robb (Tiffany) & Ryan; sisters, Jodi (Scott) Miller and Tanya Wiesner; brothers in law, Terry Schwark, Randy Schwark & Robert Gartzke, nieces and nephews, Oscar and Thomas Wiesner, Jordan and Justin Miller, and Maxwell, Benjamin, and Zachary Leonhard, Marcee Zimmerman, Travis Schwark, Brad (Brittany) Schwark, Samantha and Nick Gartzke.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Max and Mary Wimmer, Bernice and Elmer Leonhard, his father-in-law Raymond Schwark and his mother-in-law Darlene Gartzke.

A Mass of Christian celebration will take place at 1:00 PM Thursday, July 22, 2021, at St. Clement Catholic Church, 707 N. 6th Street, Sheboygan. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Mark Brandl and Fr. Matthew Widder. Visitation will take place at St. Clements church from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass (those who wish to view the livestream of the Mass may do so by visiting Rick’s obituary page at www.ballhornchapels.com). A private inurnment will take place at Calvary Cemetery on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials to the MACC Fund, 10000 Innovation Dr., Suite 135, Milwaukee, WI 53226 are appreciated.