Richard Ippolito, Colonel (Retired)

Richard Ippolito, Colonel (Ret.)

Died on March 28, 2019 at age 84 years. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Pamela Frautschi, his daughter Dr. Danielle Ippolito, and his son, Michael Ippolito, the father of Richard's grandchildren Benjamin and Isabella.

Richard was the eldest of five children born to Angelo and Frances Rose Ippolito in New Jersey. His surviving siblings are Lois Waid (Al), Annette Aulino (Charles), Edward J. Ippolito, and Joan Masino (Patrick), as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is further survived by his step-sons, Schuyler Frautschi (Kate Currie) with their children, Julian and Mimi, and Jason Frautschi (Erika) with their sons, Hans-Karl and Gustav, plus step-daughter Rebecca Boudreau with her daughters, Haley and Seren Magestro. 

Colonel Ippolito served for 32 years in the United States Army,  including 20 years abroad. In the Army, he distinguished himself by earning Commendation Medals and the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam and rising to the rank of Colonel. After retiring from the Army he moved to Milwaukee, served briefly as an Auxiliary Officer with the Whitefish Bay Police before joining the staff of UWM for 13 years, including 7 years as Assistant Dean of UWM's School of Nursing.

Richard was active in Eastside community organizations and was an enthusiastic supporter of Milwaukee theatre and the arts. He served on the Boards of Murray Hill Neighborhood Association (MHNA), Boulevard Ensemble Theatre company and In Tandem Theatre, and was among founders of Eastside Milwaukee Community Council (EMCC). He also was commended for his service (2010-2018) as a member of the District Two Committee Office of Lawyer Regulation of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.

Always proud of his service to the nation, retired Colonel Ippolito was often seen as part of the Milwaukee War Memorial Military Review stands for Veteran's Day and Memorial Day events.

A memorial gathering will be held for Richard on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 10:00am until the time of services at 11:00am, all at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center, 750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Military honors and memorialization will be held for Colonel Ippolito at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later time. 

The family suggests memorials to Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Preservation Commission's Milwaukee Soldier's Home projects or to your favorite Milwaukee preforming arts or charity.

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