Richard "Doc" Irvin Houck

Richard Irvin Houck “Doc”, beloved of his heavenly Father and loved by his family, went home to be with the Lord April 8, 2024.

Born June 12, 1933 to Irvin and Margaret Houck, Doc lived his childhood in Oak Park, IL with his sisters, Peggy and Mary.

Having an early love for animals, he pursued and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State in 1957. His veterinary skills were used for three decades in his large and small animal practice in Southeastern Wisconsin/ Northeastern Illinois and later for 18 years with Ringling Brothers Circus. Always desiring to work with excellence, every animal in his care received the best from his brilliant mind, strong yet gentle hands, and compassionate caring heart. All of his work to him was a joy because of the people he met along the way. He took a sincere interest in each life he encountered.

Doc enjoyed riding his horse, hard work, baking a rhubarb pie, fishing, chocolate ice cream, a good joke, a problem to be solved, bratwursts, Wisconsin, the beauty of the land, crops growing in the fields, sharing his knowledge, a fine steak grilled just right, a good wine, a cold glass of milk, telling a story, playing cards, giving to his community, encouraging a child, learning something new, his men’s Bible studies, stock car racing, watching rodeo, the county fair, and jazz.

Doc loved his family! And Doc loved his friends! We invite all of you to join us for a celebration of his life at Mount Zion Christian Church, 2330 Hwy 120, Lake Geneva, WI on April 20, 2024 at 11:00 am. A lunch will follow where we can all share stories of Doc. 

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Doc's family.