Obituary of Richard G. Wehrenberg

Richard G. "Dick" Wehrenberg, 74, of 3785 Mead Road, Jamestown, died Thursday July 23, 2020, in the Lutheran Retirement Home. He was born April 19, 1946, in Secaucus, NJ, a son of the late George and Evelyn Robinson Wehrenberg. He was a 1965 graduate of Southwestern Central School and earned a bachelor's degree from Alfred State University. A veteran of the US Army, he served from 1965-67. Prior to his retirement he was employed by Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities, first at the North County Landfill and later as supervisor of the South County Transfer Station. Dick lived a life of hard work, committing himself to long-term goals and enjoying his friends, family, interests and putting others first. He was a city boy with a country dream. As a young boy in Secaucus, NJ, the garbage dumps lighted his curiosity. An unexpected mentor at the dumps taught him to trap and connect with the wonders of nature. He always looked for opportunities to track, identify, trap and hunt. The hunt was the draw, not the catch. But an ethical catch and harvest also meant food and a good story. Richard's hobbies were immersed in his daily life. From early in his life he wanted to farm. And farm he did in the early nineteen seventies along with his city-oriented father and mother before being drafted into the military. Later he farmed with his wife on Mead Road. Excelling in what he wanted to do, improve the land and raise the best gentle Red Devon grass fed beef through intensive grazing practices. He was a member of several golf leagues including Youngsville Senior League, Youngsville Men's League and Sander's Meat Men's League. He was also a member of the Busti Historical Society where he and his wife stirred apple butter at the annual Apple Festival for the last 17 years. Richard also was a writer of hunting stories. He could write a poem about the day or the moment and wrote hundreds of them. Richard had countless friends whom he put on top of his "grateful" list. His heart friends (more like brothers) Jim Chapman of Busti, Ted Clark of Kennedy, Tom Boire of Conewango and R. Joe Siperek of Busti would call, cry and repeatedly pray in loving support during Richard's long haul with Lymphoma cancer. Richard simply tried to love others and trust that God would direct him to live that out. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Roswell Park, the Lutheran Social Services staff for Godly and gracious care and Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care for exceptional council and love. Surviving are his wife Brenda Carlson Wehrenberg; children Scott Button of Jamestown, Benjamin Button of Frewsburg and Kimberly Wehrenberg of Ashville; grandchildren Allen and Logan Button; step children Brita (Timothy) Barlow Johnson of Jamestown and Holly Barlow of Frewsburg; step granddaughter Ivory Dallas of Frewsburg; brother Jon Wehrenberg of Knoxville, TN and Richard's first wife and mother of his children Diana Wehrenberg of Ashville. A celebration of Richard's life will be held from 2-7 p.m. Sunday at "my Father's farm", 3785 Mead Road, Busti, at the location of his current project of a farm history center to teach young people about the land and farming. Memorials may be made to Busti Historical Society, 3443 Lawson Rd Jamestown, NY 14701, American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or a charity of your heart's choice. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.