A Celebration of Life in remembrance of Rich will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 12:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at SAVANNA OAKS COMMUNITY CENTER in Fall River with a special remembrance at 1:00 P.M..

COLUMBUS/LAND O'LAKES--Rich Brouillard, age 68, passed away on January 22, 2023, due to complications from injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident.

Rich was born on July 13, 1954 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He was the son of Clair and Johnette (Smyth) Brouillard. Rich grew up in Chetek, Wisconsin. After graduating Chetek High School, he attended UW Stevens Point, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Broad-Field Social Studies with a minor in Political Science. After graduating from UW Stevens Point, Rich began an amazing career in the field of Education. His first full-time teaching position was at Columbus High School, Columbus, Wisconsin, where he taught social studies and coached JV football (with his dear friend, Rich Abegglen), and high school wrestling (with his good friend, Tom Cooper).

After several years of teaching, Rich decided to further his education, attending UW Madison graduate school and earning a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. His first administrative position was Middle School Principal with the Columbus Area School District. Rich enjoyed more than 20 years working with students, staff and parents at Columbus Middle and High School and was sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve the district.

Rich next joined the Beaver Dam Unified School District where he was appointed Director of Technology and later, Middle School Principal. He loved his time in Beaver Dam, the lifelong friendships he made there, and the students, parents and community he served. After retiring from Beaver Dam, Rich accepted an interim position as high school principal for the Watertown Unified Area School District. Returning to the high school setting was fun for Rich and the perfect ending to an amazing career in Education.

Rich also found time to enjoy his numerous hobbies. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman who loved fly fishing in Montana, walleye fishing in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canada, and hosting deer camp on opening day of deer hunting season. He also loved reading and sharing good books, making custom fishing rods and lures, harvesting sap to make maple syrup, gardening, growing sweet corn, and taking annual trips with friends to away Packer games. He and his dear wife made many beautiful memories attending broadway shows in NYC, listening to street musicians in New Orleans, raising three springer spaniels (Montana, Maggie and Maizee), traveling, and spending time at their northwoods cabin.

As a child, Rich was described as, "full of mischief". One of his favorite pranks was to put a tiny explosive load into his father's cigars. He always made sure to be out the door when they exploded! One year, he received a child's bow and arrow set for Christmas. Rich told his sister to stand by the refrigerator and put an apple on her head so he could practice shooting the bow. She agreed but he missed the apple!

Rich lived a really good life pursuing a career he loved, enjoying the hobbies he loved, and doing good things to make a difference in the lives of others. His passing is an incredible loss, and he will be missed dearly. May his "full of mischief" spirit live on in those who knew him best. He would like that.

Rich is survived by his wife of 38 years, Tonya Broyles-Brouillard of Waterloo, siblings Sharon Peterson of Portage, Joy Brouillard of Minneapolis, William (Jessica Winiarski) Brouillard of Cleveland, OH, Eugene (Sharon) Brouillard of Evansville, IN, Cynthia Brouillard (Jim Schymanski) of Mosinee, and Pam Brouillard of Corpus Christi, TX, in-laws, Denise Broyles of Muncie IN, Kim (Linda) Broyles of Sun Prairie and also several nieces and nephews. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Johnette, mother-in-law, Helen Broyles of Muncie, IN three aunts, Margaret, Florence and Blanche, and dear friends, Bill Bradish and Denise Cooper.

A Celebration of Life in remembrance of Rich will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 12:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at SAVANNA OAKS COMMUNITY CENTER in Fall River with a special reembrace at 1:00 P.M.. Memorials in remembrance of Rich may be directed to Chetek-Weyerhauser Scholarship Foundation, 1001 Knapp Street, Chetek, WI. 54728, Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry, 125 Dickason Blvd., Columbus, WI 53925 or Waterloo/Marshall Food Pantry, PO Box 290, Waterloo, WI. 53594. The family would like to thank the Land O Lakes EMT's the doctors, nurses and support staff at Aspirus Hospital Eagle River, and Aspirus Hospital Wausau for their care, compassion and support for Rich during his final days. We encourage you to share your online condolences with Rich's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com