Home /  Lifecycle /  Obituaries

RSSRSS Feed

Richard Tarney

September 26th, 2003

Lifelong Milwaukeean Richard Tarney of Bayside died Sept. 6 after a long illness.
Tarney was a graduate of North Division High School and of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He was an insurance broker and a business partner with the late community activitist Joe E. Smith in Insurance, Inc., and later with Robertson-Ryan, Inc.

A longtime member of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, he was also active in its Brotherhood, B’nai B’rith and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

In addition, he was an avid golfer, with several holes-in-one to his credit, and a musician. He played with the band, “Dick Todd” while in college and also performed while serving in the U.S. Navy.

Following a serious car accident caused by a drug-impaired driver, Tarney and his wife, Karen (nee Pashen), founded Citizens Against Drug Impaired Drivers, a non-profit organization to raise awareness about driving under the influence of drugs and other medications. Active in 16 states, CANDID supports law enforcement’s Drug Recognition Expert Program. The couple won numerous civic awards for their work, most recently from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Julie Tarney of Milwaukee, Janet (Steve) Sabb of England and Roberta (David) Young of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; sons John Tarney of San Diego and Charles Green of Boca Raton, Fla.; brother Al Tarney; sister Anita Stern; and five grandchildren.

Rabbi Marc Berkson officiated at the funeral on Sept. 8. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.

The family would appreciate memorials to CANDID, P.O. Box, 170970, Milwaukee, WI 53217; or to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun.