Richard W. Cutler passed away peacefully of natural causes on August 17th, at the age 97. Born in New Rochelle, NY, on March 9, 1917, to his parents Charles E. Cutler and Amelia M. Cutler. Cutler grew up in Westport. CT with his parents and two sisters Janet C. Nichols and Betty C. Wooten, all deceased. On October 18, 1947, in Milwaukee, he married his wife of 61 years Elizabeth Fitzgerald Cutler, who passed away May 18, 2008. He is survived by his three children, Marguerite B. Cutler (Kevin McBride), Alexander M. Cutler (Sarah) and Judith C. Rauh (James); four grandsons David Cutler (deceased), William Cutler, Michael McGoohan (Sarah), Peter McGoohan (Sarah), and Scott McGoohan (Nicole); and three great grandchildren Danny McGoohan, Charlie McGoohan and Jack McGoohan.
A summa cum laude graduate of Yale University ’38 and The Yale Law School ’41, Dick joined so many of the “Greatest Generation” in serving his country during World War II. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force and the OSS and met his wife, Liz, at the Nuremberg Trials. After the war, he returned to NYC to practice law with the Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Lumbard law firm. He loved tackling complex problems and hard work never gave him pause. A member and managing partner of Quarles & Brady in Milwaukee from 1954 until his retirement in 1987, he twice argued cases in front of the United States Supreme Court. He also served as the President and later Vice-President of the Milwaukee Innovation Center; Commissioner, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission; Member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee; Chairman of the Milwaukee Branch of Foreign Policy Association; and President of both the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin and Neighborhood House of Milwaukee. He was a member of the team that brought the Milwaukee Brewers to Milwaukee from Seattle and served as the secretary of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club from 1964-1973. He also was a founding investor and longtime secretary of the Sunset Investment Company.
An avid reader and author, he wrote seven books with perhaps his most famous work published in 2004: Counterspy: Memoirs of a Counterintelligence Officer in World War II and The Cold War. His love of reading, writing and correspondence perhaps was exceeded only by his joy for thoughtful discussion and debate – whether in the office, at home, on the ski slope or a tennis court – a remarkable ability he was willing to share with one and all. We will miss his dry wit, warm smile and joyful laugh.
The family would like to thank all the health caregivers who have provided exceptionally warm and professional help during the past several years. Dick was greatly appreciative of their kindness and the difference they made in his life.
Services are planned for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Art Museum or Milwaukee College Prep.
