Richard D. Lynn, age 78, of Portage, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Patrick Lynn and Joyce Condon.

Richard was one of nine children, raised in a family shaped by hard work, limited means, and Irish immigrant roots. From a young age, he learned the value of self-reliance and perseverance – lessons that would define the rest of his life. Though his formal education ended in eighth grade, Richard was fiercely intelligent, particularly with numbers, and spent his life proving that grit, curiosity, and determination could rival any classroom.

Driven by a desire for independence, Richard enlisted in the United States Army at a young age, serving during the Vietnam era, where he worked as a heavy vehicle driver and mechanic. Those years shaped his worldview, his work ethic, and his belief in people over labels – values he carried with him long after returning home.

Richard was a lifelong builder and entrepreneur. Over the course of his career, he owned and operated a wide range of businesses, including an insulation company, restaurants, a billiard hall, arcade, bowling alley, nightclub, and numerous construction and real estate ventures. He was never afraid to try something new, to fail, or to start again. Much of his success came from building — quite literally — with his own hands. He renovated properties himself, learned every trade necessary to complete a job, and steadily built a real estate portfolio grounded in hard work rather than shortcuts.

For the last 30 years of his life, Richard made his home in Portage, Wisconsin, where he continued to develop properties and remained deeply engaged in his work. In recent years, he spearheaded the development of a new subdivision in Pardeeville, Wisconsin, consisting of townhomes, duplexes, and single-family homes — a project that reflected his lifelong passion for building communities and creating opportunity.

For Richard, money was never about status. It was a tool — a means to independence, possibility, and freedom. One of the few personal indulgences he ever allowed himself was a Rolls-Royce, a quiet nod to a dream he carried from boyhood. It symbolized not wealth, but a life built through persistence and belief in oneself.

Richard was known for his charm, piercing blue eyes, and a gift for storytelling. He could turn ordinary moments into stories worth telling again and again — each time with a little more polish. He loved music, food, art, conversation, and dancing, and he had a presence that filled a room. Though often demanding and outspoken, he was deeply generous with his time, tools, knowledge, and resources, especially to those he believed were trying to better their lives.

Richard served as Cook County Sherrif in his early days and briefly as a Portage Alderman, continuing his pattern of involvement in the communities he helped build.

He is survived by his daughters, Sheila (Joe) Spitza and Lisa (Shawn) Polnow; his stepson, Hui (Rebecca) Chen, his spouse, Jenny Lynn, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Mia. He was previously married to Joyce Wood, with whom he shared his two daughters. Richard leaves behind six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. at Grasse Funeral Home in Pardeeville. Visitation will be held at 9:00 A.M. until  the time of service. Following the service, Rick’s family invites all who knew him, worked with him, or crossed his path to join them for a luncheon reception.