Richard E. Sherrell

Richard Sherrell Professor, Communication and the Arts 5/30/93 Richard E. Sherrell, formerly of Green Bay, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2017, at Kendal-Crosslands, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He was born in Los Angeles on May 15, 1928, to Alonzo P. and Ardis Balling Sherrell. In 1953, he married Virginia Stark and their marriage lasted more than 63 years, until her death last February. He is survived by his three sons - Tom (and wife Jean Underwood), Rob (and wife Judy Storch) and John (and companion Kelly Gordon), grandchildren Dan, Isabel, Matt, Sarah and David, and six nephews and nieces.

Following service in the US Navy, Dick attended Pomona College and the Chicago Theological Seminary. He later earned a Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate School, focusing on the intersection of theology and avant-garde theatre. His career arc spanned a small parish ministry in Massachusetts, a college chaplaincy in northern Wisconsin, the National Council of Churches' Department of Higher Education in New York City and finally he was Professor of Theatre at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Dick was honored to be Secretary of the Faculty and Staff at UWGB in the last eight years of his career there.

Dick's passion throughout his life was theatre. He acted and directed in community theatre everywhere, and led the UWGB Theatre department through many productions (several of which he also acted in). He brought his skills to the Crosslands community and enjoyed leading a number of productions there. Upon retirement in Scituate, MA, Dick was active in the local library board and the senior citizens council. He also resumed his interest in painting, taking watercolor classes from a number of skilled teachers and entering some of his best works in local art competitions. 

Dick and Virginia were committed to the causes of social justice and peace throughout their lives. They were active in the civil rights movement and protests against the Viet Nam war. They befriended and welcomed students and immigrants into their homes. In the end, they remain side by side eternally.

In keeping with Dick's life-long love of books, memorial donations may be made to your local library.
 
(Reprinted with permission from Laurie Bolle, Regional Director of Sales – Gannett Regional Sales Center, USA Today Network.  Published in the Green Bay Press-Gazette November 9, 2017)