My Elmer, mentor, friend Richard Welke, W4OPG, of Mooresville, North Carolina, silent key on April 29, 2019. World War 2 combat veteran, 100th Division, 399th Infantry, Company G. Richard and my father, Samuel Jones, K1JEO (SK May, 1990) met while under fire in November 1944, and remained friends for many years. Richard helped me get my first Ham ticket. It was a privilege to know him. He will be greatly missed.
Richard A. Welke, W4OPG SK Richard Arthur Welke January 24, 1925 - April 29, 2019 Richard A Welke of Mooresville NC passed away early Monday morning on April 29th. Richard was born January 24, 1925 in Elmhurst, NY at home, and delivered by his grandmother during a total eclipse of the sun. His parents were Rudolph and Helen (Kraus) Welke. He attended High School in Highland Falls NY and received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from New York University. Richard proudly served in WWII on the front lines in France and Germany from 1943 to 1946. He served as a Field Lineman for the 100th Infantry Division, 399th Regiment Company and received many honors and decorations for his valor. This includes the Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Metals for bravery under fire, as well as the Republic of France’s highest honor awarded to foreign soldiers, The Legion of Honor. Married Marilyn Meslin in 1950 and raised his family in Wyckoff, NJ from 1953-1984, He owned his own steel deck business, General Deck Inc. He was a member of the Lions Club and was a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Wyckoff, NJ. Then they moved to Palm Harbor Florida from 1984-1998. After his wife Marilyn passed away in 1998, he became a proud citizen of Mooresville N.C. where he has resided for the last 21 years. He was active in the local Exchange Club, a member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, worked for the Law firm of Homesley, Goodman and Wingo for many years, and was a regular at the Military Veteran’s group at Richard’s Coffee Shop. In 2018 he was inducted into the North Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame in Charlotte N.C. He was passionate about supporting all Military and Veteran organizations and events, even riding the Mooresville Veteran's Day Parade for many consecutive years. He had two children, Robert A Welke who predeceased him in 1996, and Carolyn Underwood who currently lives in Mooresville NC with her husband Robert Underwood. His four surviving granddaughters are, Valentene P Reily of Irvine, CA, Elizabeth (Welke) Lindsey, Carley Welke and Hayley Welke. Everyone who met him loved him. He was the most kind and loving man I’d ever known and would do anything for anyone. His kindness was contagious. He often said, “A stranger is only a friend I haven’t met yet”. He will be missed dearly by everyone. He will be honored at Richard’s Coffee Shop on May 11th at 2:00 by family and friends. No need for formality, come as you are. This is a celebration of his life, and a well lived life it was. https://www.cavin-cook.com/obituaries/Richard-Welke/#!/Obituary Decorated Mooresville WWII vet Richard Welke dies, will be honored at Richard's Family and friends will salute the life of Richard A. Welke May 11 at one of the World War II veteran’s favorite places, the Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum at Richards Coffee Shop. Welke, of Mooresville, died April 29 at age 94. He fought on the front lines in France and Germany from 1943 to 1946 with the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Division, 399th Regiment Company. Among his military honors were the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Stars for bravery. He also was presented with the Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest honor for foreign soldiers. Welke was born Jan. 24, 1925, in Elmhurst, N.Y. – delivered by his grandmother at home during a total eclipse of the sun, according to his obituary. He attended high school in Highland Falls, N.Y., and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from New York University. He married Marilyn Meslin in 1950 and the couple raised their family in Wyckoff, N.J., from 1953 to 1984. Welke owned a steel deck business, General Deck Inc. He was a member of the Lions Club and a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Wyckoff, N.J. The Welkes moved in 1984 to Palm Harbor, Fla., where they lived until Marilyn’s death in 1998. Welke spent his last 21 years in Mooresville. He was active in the local Exchange Club, a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church, worked for the law firm of Homesley, Goodman and Wingo for many years, and was a regular at Richard’s. In 2018 he was inducted into the N.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Welke’s son, Robert A. Welke, died in 1996. His daughter, Carolyn Underwood, lives in Mooresville with her husband, Robert Underwood. His four surviving granddaughters are, Valentene P. Reily of Irvine, Calif., Elizabeth (Welke) Lindsey, Carley Welke and Hayley Welke. “He would do anything for anyone,” his obituary said. “His kindness was contagious. He often said, ‘A stranger is only a friend I haven’t met yet.’” Welke will be honored at Richard’s on May 11 at 2 p.m. “No need for formality, come as you are,” the obituary said “This is a celebration of his life, and a well lived life it was. http://www.lakenormanpublications.c...cle_3cfb4a0a-6dde-11e9-a4c5-db9a11bff020.html
