Emil Richard WitzensFebruary 19, 1942 – January 1, 2026

Emil Richard “Dick” Witzens, age 83, of Elk Grove, CA, passed away on January 1, 2026, of heart failure.Dick was born on February 19, 1942 to Emil G. and Frieda Witzens in Chicago, IL and lived there until age 7, when the family moved to Tucson, AZ. He graduated from Rincon High School and later from the University of Arizona. He had two brothers, Frederick and Walter.

Between high school and college, Dick joined the Air Force and was trained as a Medical X-Ray Technician before being discharged from active duty in 1965. He worked as an X-Ray Technician while finishing college, and for a few more years after getting married.

Dick met Patricia Strootman in Tucson, and they married on September 6, 1969, in Renville, MN. Over the years they lived in locations in Arizona and California. They had two children, Adam and Heather.

Dick retired from the State of CA after 30 years, working for the Department of Rehabilitation and then the Department of Social Services, in various Social Security Disability positions. He also volunteered for the Disaster Response Team for several years.

Dick loved family times, camping, vacationing, and model railroading. He was a member of Sacramento Modular Railroad Club since 1985, a talented modeler, active in several other railroad organizations, and was a docent at the CA State Railroad Museum. He also loved archeology, classical music, reading (especially science fiction), improvement projects, and puns.

Dick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia; his children Adam (Stephanie) and Heather (Colm Conn); his grandchildren Megan Kearns Stanley, Katlyn Fisher Moore, and Adam Fisher; his great-grandchildren Easton Stanley and Kayden Moore; and his brother Walter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Frieda, and his oldest brother, Frederick.

There will be a private ceremony at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.

Dick will be forever loved, appreciated, and missed.