Richard R. Barton

Rick Barton, 60, of Green Bay, passed away on April 14th, 2025 after a long, long battle with cancer. Rick graduated from Superior Senior High and attended Scholastica (Duluth, MN). He was a stand-out hockey player in youth leagues, high school and college.

Rick worked as a manager for RGIS for 32 years, which resulted in several re-locations on the Midwest.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, aunts, uncles, his mother, Kathleen L. (Flaherty) Barton and his wife Cherri (Peerenboom) Barton. Rick is survived by his father Lester J. “Jim” Barton, (Gloriann) of Superior, WI; by five children, son Nick Barton (River Falls, WI), daughter Kharmilla Barton (Las Vegas, NV), step-daughters Joni Rose (River Falls, WI), Deanna (Kevin) Street (League City, TX), step-son Wes Peerenboom (Green Bay, WI); four siblings, Patrice (Jerry) of Milwaukee, WI, Bill (Carol) Barton of Bristol, TN, Jim Barton of Fairbanks, AK, and Colleen (Steve) Strasburg of Spooner, WI; eight grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. 

He is further survived by a close-knit group of friends from grade school and high school, who routinely went to sporting events and concerts together, visiting each other as often as possible, despite living in different cities and states. 

Rick was the family historian sharing photos and transferring all the family movies into precious gifts. He was a mega sports fan, tracking the Milwaukee Brewers, the Green Bay Packers, several pro hockey teams and college sports on a daily basis. Scores, outcomes, good calls (and bad) were often the start of family text threads, with all participating and chiming in, across several time zones. His enthusiasm and optimism for his teams was always present, even in his final days. While Rick never played an instrument, listening to music was a passion. Play lists were collated and shared, including “mom’s juke box”, a re-creation of everything on the family juke box. A large speaker was always present in his home where he could dial up any genre or specific tune that fit the mood, occasion or gathering. He was an avid cribbage player and could play morning ‘til night. No matter your skill level he could count your hand faster than you could. He welcomed teaching beginners and was never frustrated with a rookie’s questions or pace. He just loved the game. Rick was quick to pick up meal tabs, which in later years resulted in a competition about how to pay the bill before he got his hands on it. His quick wit was part of every conversation, every text and every get-together. He did not like vegetables! He was smart, clever, and had a great sense of humor. He loved everyone, was very generous, had the kindest heart and most gentle nature.

Visitation will be from 10 am to 11am until a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 11am at Cathedral of Christ the King Church, Superior, WI. Internment at Calvary Cemetery will follow. Arrangements by Simply Cremation Funeral Home (Green Bay, WI) and Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home (Superior, WI).