Richard Harding "Ziggy" Ziegler

On January 4, 2020 – Richard “Ziggy” Ziegler passed away at his home in Saukville, WI.

Richard was born on August 12, 1949 in Shawano, WI to Arnold Ziegler and Jane Turner. After graduating from Milwaukee’s Custer High School in 1967, Richard proudly served his country as a member of the US Army, stationed in South Korea during the Vietnam War. Later, he married his beloved wife of 34 years – Robin (Stoltz) Ziegler and had two adoring sons Zachary and Ryan. Soon after, he began a 27 year long career as an Operations Manager at RK Rubber in Milwaukee until he retired in 2018.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, step mother (Mary Ziegler), his brother Tom and his sister Joan. He is survived by his wife Robin (Stoltz), sons Zachary (Sharon) Ziegler and Ryan (Jacqueline) Ziegler, and brother Daniel (Jacqueline) Ziegler…

Richard was a man among men, who will be dearly missed by all. “Ziggy”, as many close friends and family knew him, was regularly and accurately referred to as being “cool before cool was cool”, a wild man, a trained killer, and a true legend. He was the most genuine man, never wavering from his true self. He loved everyone and everyone loved him back. With a cold PBR in hand, Richard was always seen with a smile on his face and was quick to tell one of his famous tales to anyone who would listen. He would tell you how he walked to Florida to see Jimi Hendrix, outran the South Korean military police, drove his own personal ambulance, and was the first person to ever put a fried egg on a burger — among many of his other exploits. But on top of all these adventures, and most importantly, he was a selfless and caring father and a devoted and loving husband. He gave everything he had to lift up his family, doing whatever it took to make them feel loved and supported. Likewise, through those 34 years of marriage to Robin, Richard was the perfect example on how to be a husband and father, which his children carry on…

The Ziegler men live by the mantra, presented in Leonard Cohen’s Bird on a Wire – “Like the bird on the wire and a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free…”

Well, Zig… you’re finally free. We love you and miss you and promise to keep your legend alive…

A Celebration of Life event will be held on February 1, 2020 at The Five Four, connected to Dugout 54 at 5328 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Street parking is available, as is additional parking at The Woodlands School on Bluemound Road. Feel free to bring old pictures and share old memories, and we’ll provide the PBR. Just like Richard would have wanted.