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Wayne L. Tubbs, age 96, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Wayne was born on November 24, 1929 in Chetek, WI to Irvin and Margie (Speed) Tubbs. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Joan (Westberg), and his siblings Phillip and Elaine. He is survived by his children Anne Tubbs Prestamo and her spouse Manuel, by his son John, and grandson John Sigurd, and nieces and nephews Lee, Larry, and Kathleen.
Wayne graduated from Chetek High School in 1947, and was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from UW-Madison Pharmacy School in 1951. He came to New Richmond later that year to work as a pharmacist at Johnson Drug. He and Joan married in 1954. In 1961 he purchased Howard Drug, and changed the name to Wayne’s Pharmacy. In 1966, he purchased Driscoll Drug, and combined the two businesses in the former Driscoll location. Further expansion occurred in 1971 when he purchased the old Lindy Grocery Store building and moved the business there. He retired and sold the business in 1991.
In addition to the drugstores, Wayne served as the pharmacist for Holy Family Hospital, Maple Manor Nursing Home, and the St. Croix Health Center. He was active in many community organizations and served on the Boards of the Chamber of Commerce, New Richmond Fine Arts, Friday Memorial Library, Holy Family Hospital, Westfield Hospital, Deerfield, and the United Methodist Church.
Wayne was raised a Mason on April 14, 1953 making him a 73 year member of New Richmond Lodge #195. He was also a 50 year member of Willow River Order of Eastern Star, where he served with Joan as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron. He was also a member of Amery Chapter #112 Royal Arch Masons, Valley of Eau Claire Scottish Rite, ZOR Shriners, and the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club.
Wayne was an avid traveler, and summer family vacations were legend. In the earliest days, they camped in a Pontiac station wagon until Anne got too tall to fit across the front seat, at which point they graduated to a tent. Wayne was a master at packing everything they needed for a two week camping trip into the trunk of the car. Eventually they moved up to a travel trailer, and finally a 5th wheel trailer that they took to warmer climates for winters, finally settling on Arizona where they spent many winters after retirement.
In the winter months Wayne was frequently an armchair traveler, planning the next adventure as he pored over travel book and atlases. That research led to a family trip to Churchill, Manitoba on Hudson Bay one year. Some years later Wayne and John returned to Churchill.
Wayne and Joan spent years in all manner of weather imaginable driving kids to and from rehearsals, concerts, hockey practice and games. As he aged, Wayne became a new man, with two new hips and two new knees. It didn’t slow him down in the least. In active adventures with John he broke an ankle and several ribs!
In retirement Wayne took up many new activities, including biking and wood carving. He embraced Joan’s Swedish heritage and they were regular volunteers at the Swedish American Institute in Minneapolis, and they traveled to Sweden twice to visit relatives there. He was also a volunteer courier for the hospital, making runs as needed to hospitals and the blood bank in St. Paul. A penchant for puzzles and games had always run strong in the Tubbs-Speed clan and Wayne was an ace cribbage player and jigsaw puzzle master.
Throughout his life Wayne was an exemplar of empathy and kindness, with a counterbalance of pragmatism and fierce independence. When he decided it was time to sell his house, he found a wonderful new home and community in independent living at the Deerfield. Right up to the end he cooked most of his meals, and was still always up for an adventure. After Anne moved to Miami in 2013, he spent several weeks each winter in Miami and learned to love Cuban food. When John moved back to Minneapolis in 2024 they started a bi-weekly series of explorations in and around the Twin Cities. Just one week prior to his passing he went on a trip to Bayfield and Ashland, and very happily introduced his grandson to “The Big Lake” on an Apostle Islands boat trip.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for later in the summer.
8 Comments
A well written obituary about Wayne Tubbs. He was a kind and knowledgeable man. We are glad to have known him mainly through Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge. Our sympathy to his family and friends.
I remember Wayne from growing up a block from Wayne’s Pharmacy. It was the last location I remember the best. I worked at the hospital when I became an RN. The last time I saw Wayne was when the new Hudson Clinic building opened on the north side. He had driven there and was so interested in the new clinic. That was only 2 1/2 years ago but he was out and about and still so interested in health care in New Richmond. He was kind and caring to everyone he met..
My Mom (Florence Barness) graduated with Wayne from Chetek High School in 1947. When I moved to NR with my family in 1990, Mom took me to Main Street to Wayne’s Pharmacy to introduce me to her classmate. Wayne was such a gentleman and I appreciated every encounter I’ve had with him through the years. I will miss him too!
One great memory I have was my mom taking us to the back of the first Wayne’s Pharmacy together a drink at the soda fountain. Real syrup and carbonated water, stirred and a grape soda was downed. I was so sad when he moved to the larger Wayne’s pharmacy and they couldn’t bring the soda fountain. Wayne Tubbs was one of those really good men.
Whenever my Dad went to vote and there were two people up for an office he did not know, he always voted for Wayne Tubbs as a write in candidate.
The world could use more men like Wayne Tubbs.
A life well lived…..and with such a beautiful family he created. Sending heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
Growing up in New Richmond, we were lucky to have had independent stores and a pharmacy, and I’m so glad to have learned about the history of Wayne’s Pharmacy here. As a kid the context of these things isn’t clear, but it sure is now. Wow! What a wonderful civic engagement he demonstrated. My condolences to the family and friends.
I have wonderful memories of Wayne. He was a great man and will always be remembered fondly.
The world is a better place because Wayne was here.
Wayne Tubbs epitomized kindness and self assurance. I have had the pleasure of visiting with him many times over the last few years at Deerfield. Thank you for writing such a wonderful tribute to him and peace to everyone mourning his passing.
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