Meet Richard Hadler, resident at Renaissance Senior Living of Hilldale whose handshake is as steady as the Wisconsin farmland where he grew up. Born in Milwaukee and raised on a busy farm in Grafton, Richard’s childhood days were filled with the rhythm of chores and the laughter of his two sisters. Yet, even as a boy among the fields, Richard knew he was destined for something beyond the tractor and barn.

After high school, with a sense of adventure in his heart, he joined the Air Force at the height of the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crises.

Richard likes to joke that his dream of “seeing the world” mostly meant seeing a lot of Texas and Kansas, but he remembers his service with pride and gratitude. “Everyone could benefit from going through it,” he says, reflecting on the friendships and life lessons that came from those years in uniform.

Leaving the military, Richard rolled up his sleeves for what would become a remarkable 40-year career in manufacturing and supervision. For nearly two decades, he managed teams at Sprig Electric, helping build the radios and televisions that once filled American living rooms. Later, at Allen-Bradley in Milwaukee, he led crews crafting the electric drives that powered the local paper mills. Richard’s work ethic and leadership didn’t come from a college degree, but from determination and a knack for bringing out the best in his team.

Richard’s life story is also a love story. He met his wife, Judy, back in high school—she was his very first date. They waited for Richard to turn 21 before marrying, making it official while he was serving in the Air Force. Together, they shared 54 years of partnership, raising four children—Mark, Mike, Debbie, and Elizabeth—and building a family tree that now includes grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Judy passed away in 2016, but her memory lives on in the stories Richard shares and the family they built together.

Though his Air Force travels were limited, Richard’s love of hunting and fishing carried him to wild corners of the globe. He’s trekked through North America and even ventured to Africa, where he collected stories and a few impressive trophies—kudu, gemsbok, zebra, and warthog among them. He still smiles recalling the chill of Canadian mornings spent in search of moose, elk, or caribou.

Today, Richard is settling into community life with that same sense of adventure that’s always guided him. He’s proud of his long career, the family he and Judy built, and the winding path that’s brought him here. If you spot Richard around, be sure to say hello—you’ll likely find a new friend, and maybe hear a tale or two about a life well lived.