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On September 11, 2026, Rick left for the arms of his Heavenly Father.
Rick was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital to Elmer and Pearl Jansen on May 9, 1945, joining his older brother Ron. Rick attended Appleton Public Schools and worked after school setting pins manually at a local bowling alley.
In 1965, Rick joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Philippines as an aircraft electrician where he discovered a lifelong passion for flying and never actually boarded a Navy ship. After his honorable discharge, Rick returned home to Appleton where he learned to fly. He became a flight instructor and private pilot before eventually becoming a pilot for Air Wisconsin Airlines. During his aviation career, Rick flew gliders, floatplanes, prop jets, Pipers, Metroliners, Dash 7s, and BAe 146s. He retired in 2005 after logging more than 30,000 flight hours.
In 1973, Rick married Lynn Griesbach. Together, they adopted a baby girl from Colombia, and two and a half years later welcomed a second daughter.
Rick’s love for the outdoors shaped much of his life. Whether fishing, hunting, or enjoying skeet and trap shooting, he embraced his time outside. He also enjoyed water and snow skiing, golf, and bowling. In the summer months, he loved spending time at their cottage on Whitefish Lake.
Rick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lynn; daughters, Cerny Gilma Jansen (Brandon) and Kyla Jean Jansen (Brian); brother, Ronald Jansen (Sue); and grandchildren, Mabel Philippa Linehan, age 9, and Oscar Winter Linehan, age 4, children of Kyla and Brian.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Bethesda Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 303
Pickett, WI 54964
4 Comments
I knew Rick while at an Air Wisconsin. He was always friendly, and respectful to me. I wish I had known him better. He was a true professional.
I am going to miss talking to Rick on the lake almost every day, comparing notes on our fishing experiences. Rick was an old school fisherman, like me, and Rick was without a doubt, the best fisherman on Whitefish Lake! I would know, because I was always trailing right behind him at the # 2 spot. Rest in peace and happy heavenly fishing, my fisherman friend, Rick.
Bob
My memories of Rick go back to the years that a group of us with Air Wisconsin were based in Fort Wayne. Rick and Lynn were just starting their family. Those are great memories of good times .
So sorry for your loss, Lynn.
Rick (RJ) is what I knew him by, will be missed great by us all!!! RJ was like another fater to me,I knew him my entire life. Hunted and fished with him and my dad sense I was 4 years old. I made three trips to Canada fishing with him and a few trips to his lake house as well. Hunted squirrels on his uncle’s land near sacksville,WI and deer and turkey hunted on his property in Redgranite, WI. Thanks for all of the fond memories!!! 58 years is a long time to have a friend, but still doesn’t seem long enough! Rest in peace my friend! I will meet you at the fishing hole in heaven. Save me a spot!
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