Richard Lee Kuchnia

Richard Lee Kuchnia, 71, loving husband, father, and grandfather of Lake Geneva, WI—and before that, a proud longtime resident of Twin Lakes for 37 years—passed into eternal life on May 22, 2026, after a long and hard-fought battle with the debilitating disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Rich (Richie, Kook, Yichie, Itchie Kitchen) was born on May 8, 1955, in Chicago to the late Joseph Kuchnia and Edith (Brand) Anderson. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Robert Anderson, and stepmother, Jean (Hallock) Kuchnia. He married the love of his life, Sandra (Paster) Kuchnia on August 2, 1975 after somehow convincing her to say yes. It must have been his charm, because according to his two sons, it definitely wasn’t his good looks.

Rich loved his country fiercely and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1974-1977. During his service, he quickly advanced through the ranks, excelling in coding, stats, and programming courses, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Though his military path was promising, Rich had his sights set on a simpler life. He was honorably discharged to build the life he envisioned with Sandy.

Rich and Sandy settled in rural Twin Lakes, where they created a life on five idyllic acres in a log cabin that Rich built himself, “with his bare hands.” There, they raised their three children—Ryan, Morgan, and Adam—and cared for their property with the same pride and passion Rich brought to everything he loved.

And he loved many things—especially his wife and kids, and his tractor. If he wasn’t perched high on his ‘54 Ford cutting the grass, he could likely be found playing catch with his kids, splitting logs, building bonfires, hosting epic family parties, telling colorful stories, or playing HORSE—a game he would lose again and again to his children, despite his signature bank shot.

Rich spent nearly his entire professional career as a Systems Analyst at Abbott Laboratories, another testament to his remarkable loyalty and dedication. He was also deeply committed to helping others. He spent much of his children’s younger years coaching the many sports they played, most notably baseball, and proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the Randall Fire Department for many years. His children remember that time with both admiration and mixed emotions: while they were taking cover during the tornado sirens so common in their hometown, he would be heading out to help others. That spirit of serving was a defining thread throughout Rich’s life, where he had many volunteer ventures, including Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent de Paul and acting as a driver for cancer patients.

Rich is survived by his beautiful bride, Sandy, who selflessly cared for him through the better part of the last decade; his children: Ryan and his wife, Allison (Jones); Morgan and her husband, Andrew Hanson, and their daughters, Elliana, Nia, and Agnes; Adam and his wife, Jessica (Larson), and their children, Dash and Shae. He is also survived by his sister Rosita Ciardullo (Bob); his brother Ronald Kuchnia (Elizabeth Vega); his stepbrother and best friend, Guy Bedow (Jo Ellen); his step-brother, Grant Bedow; and countless loving nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law, extended family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his stepbrother Gary Bedow (Linda).

A visitation will be held from 2:00PM until the time of service at 4:00PM Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Lazarczyk Funeral Home, 515 Center Street, Lake Geneva, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Cure PSP at psp.org. The family would also like to sincerely thank the Aurora Hospice Team and Rich’s personal caregivers, Connie and Sharon, who were not only a blessing to Rich, but to Sandy as well.

Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva and Delavan are proudly serving the family.