Richard W. Suscha
| Richard W. Suscha | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Sheboygan | |
|
In office 1973–1985 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Schneider |
| Succeeded by | Richard Schneider |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 26, 1936 |
| Citizenship | American |
Richard W. Suscha (August 26, 1936-March 21, 2011[1]) was the mayor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, US, during 1973–1985.
Early life
Suscha graduated from Central High, class of 1954, and was class president. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in May 1959. Suscha served in the U.S. Army Reserve in the 44th General Hospital Division. He owned the Medicine Chest Pharmacies; one in Sheboygan and one in Kiel. He was the Sheboygan County Coroner from 1970 to 1974.
Mayor of Sheboygan
Suscha was elected mayor of Sheboygan in 1973 and re-elected for two more terms; serving a total of 12 years (1973–1985).
During his mayoral tenure, Suscha focused on obtaining funding for local projects without burdening the taxpayers. As a result, he was well respected throughout the State and was elected President of the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, President of Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, and Chairman of Bay Lake Regional Planning Commission.
As mayor of Sheboygan, Suscha managed and directed the extensive executive city budgets, redeveloped the riverfront, invested in the renewal of its downtown (100% funded by Federal Funds), built the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (90% funded by Federal Funds - 5% State Funds - 5% City Funds). His administration added schools, fire stations, and boat ramps to support the thriving sport fishing and water tourism industry while dealing with critical shoreline erosion along Lake Michigan. He led the effort to create an extensive street repair program, he pushed for the renovation of major bridges and with the help of Mayor Dufek of Manitowoc fought for Interstate-43 to be located just west of the Sheboygan city limits which was important to commerce and attract tourism. Sheboygan was named "Tree City USA" which established an ordinance that no parking lots would be built without green space. He was responsible for the development of Taylor Drive and the expansion of Sheboygan's industrial park and by 1979 he oversaw the issuance of 42 Industrial Bonds totaling $155 million.
Additional accomplishments during his tenure included: wildwood baseball complex, Maywood Park, frisbee golf course, funding for improvements to the local parks (Evergreen, Moose, King, End, Cole, Sheridan, Deland - totaling over $400,000), a pavilion at Kiwanis Park for concerts, lighting for tennis courts, an animal shelter, and a pistol range. Suscha accomplished these initiatives while maintain a superior bond rating for the city.
After retirement
Suscha was defeated by Richard Schneider in 1985. He then returned to retail and clinic pharmacy.
Personal life
He married Donna (Ewig) on June 20, 1964, and they have three sons: Richard, Christopher and Jason. Suscha was a member of Kiwanis Club, District Chairman of Boy Scouts, Vice President of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Board of Directors for the Sheboygan Softball Association, and a volunteer for Big Brothers.