Getting to Know Dick Bates

by Sarah Kootstra

Dick exemplifies the phrase “young at heart.” He is always ready to brighten someone’s day with a smile and a joke. He is who he is, and he isn’t afraid to tell you how it is. A few facts you might not know about Dick…he dabbled with a hobby as a ventriloquist and likes to play a few tunes on his keyboard, maybe Pastor Craig should sign him up for the Worship Team?!

Dick has been attending Real Hope for the past three years. He was introduced to Real Hope through a friend of his at a bar…yes a bar. Dick is the first one to tell you that until then he didn’t have much of a relationship with God, felt like something was missing in his life. His new relationship with Jesus, along with his new Real Hope Christian family has helped to fill that gap. He describes himself as “a born-again Christian, but not one of those annoying types.” He is not afraid to talk to people about his faith and often invites people to attend a service at Real Hope. His favorite things about Real Hope – the PEOPLE! He loves their warmth, strength, and willingness to help. He says that they just make you feel comfortable.

In the 1930’s and 1940’s Dick grew up quickly in the Milwaukee. He lived on the south side of town, in the Polish neighborhoods, until high school. At that time he transferred up to the north side of town and attended Rufus King. Dick was smart, and a quick learner. He loved to learn, but school didn’t interest him much at the time. It just couldn’t compete with the possibility of making money, seeing the world, and fighting for his country. In 1944, at the age of 17 and in the midst of WWII, Dick enlisted in the Navy.

The Navy

Dick encountered his first real battle fresh out of training in Ormoc Bay on December 7, 1944. His ship, the USS-Lloyd, was involved with an amphibious assault and landing during the Battle of Ormoc Bay. Dick was assigned to the boats that shuttled the soldiers from the ships to land. When he thinks back he can still see recall it all – Kamikaze’s flying overhead like mosquitoes, the constant drum of machine guns, and the smell of seasick soldiers who couldn’t wait to get off the boat. At one point, a Kamikaze plane took aim at the USS-Lloyd. After trying to dig a hole in the steel deck (which he laughingly admits is impossible), he braced himself for an impact that never came. The plane was shot down, and he walked away with a piece of it as a souvenir.

The battle after that first landing lasted for eight hours, and cost Dick the hearing in his both ears, more so in his right than his left. But compared to others, Dick describes his WWII experience as a “walk in the park.”  He feels lucky to have made it through 12 landings with no major physical wounds. God must have been keeping an eye on him! Dick’s favorite memories from the Navy are spending time in Bora Bora, watching a sunset from the bow of the ship - porpoises and dolphins would jump and dance in the clear green ocean water, and “crossing the equator” allowing him to be promoted from pollywog to shellback - a story best told by Dick in person.

Dick’s memories are plentiful, and if you ask I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to share some of them. He has a fantastic display he used to share during school presentations, complete with a piece of the Kamikaze plane and pictures of Japanese POW’s.

 Milwaukee Police Department

After WWII ended, Dick returned home to Milwaukee and earned his GED at Rufus King. He decided it was time to settle down, start a family, and find a good job. He married his high school sweetheart – Elda Elaine Goes. The first time he saw Elda, he said to himself “I’m going to marry that girl.” And he followed through with that promise. Elda was good wife, and wonderful mother. Dick describes her as an angel. They eventually had one child, a son, named Rick.

Dick decided he wanted a career in law enforcement and applied to be a police officer in Milwaukee. He passed the written test with flying colors but didn’t quite pass the physical test the first time around, partly due to his hearing impairment. After working hard, he went back for a second try and aced it. Dick is very proud of the fact that through hard work and perseverance he overcame his hearing impairment and had a successful career in law enforcement.

Dick spent a few years on foot patrol, and then volunteered for the motorcycle beat (to the chagrin of his wife). One of his favorite memories from those years is taking the motorcycle for a midnight spin on a local ice rink.

Dick moved up quickly and retired from the job as a detective. Over the years he saw the best and worst of people, learning a lot about human nature. You name it – Dick’s seen it all! He worked serial murder cases, at one point interviewed Ed Gein, and acted as a Spanish interpreter for the police department, district attorney, and court system.

Dick’s Family

Dick is very close to his family. He lost Elda to cancer 11 years ago. It was a very difficult time for him as he had cared for her throughout her illness and it was hard to lose that battle. His son Rick, retired from the Milwaukee police force, lives with his wife in Johnson Creek. He is currently employed by the Wisconsin Historical Museum as Tour Services Coordinator in Madison. His granddaughter, Courtney, got married last year and lives on a farm just outside of Lake Mills. And his grandson, Nick, after serving in the Navy, is now taking college courses and lives in the area.

Dick loves to spend his free time with his lady-friend and companion Marilynn, whom he has been dating for the past six years. They are even talking about getting married – 19 years in the future when Dick is 99 years old! It’s going to be a GREAT party! They plan to go all out and celebrate with an open bar of prune juice!

In addition to spending time with Marilynn and his family, he enjoys spending time with his church family, going to big band concerts, reading the bible, attending American Legion events, and watching movies. And he LOVES to have company.  Dick still has a passion for riding his motorcycle down the road with the wind in his face, but these days he has traded the cycle for a red scooter.  So be sure to wave the next time you see Dick flyin’ down the sidewalk!