Richard J. Wohlgemuth

Richard J. Wohlgemuth, 84, of Ithaca, NY passed away peacefully at home on October 3rd, 2026. He spent over 20 years in the US Army and many years loving and caring for wildlife and his pets. 

Richard was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 1st, 1942, but considered Feasterville, PA as his home. He joined the Army in October of 1960, initially as a parachute rigger at Fort Campbell, KY. In 1963 he entered the Army Reserves, initially as an administrative specialist and drill sergeant at Fort Lawton, WA, and while in Washington, he went on to earn three Associate degrees in Law Enforcement, Corrections, and in the Arts, graduating in 1978. He used his dancing class to teach dancing on the side. In the process, he met and married his wife, Donna. In 1979 SFC Wohlegmuth joined the Recruiting Command and was assigned as a recruiter at the US Army Recruiting Battalion in Seattle, WA. Later, he moved to Philadelphia, PA as a recruiter at the Kalihi Recruiting Stations, the USAR Operations NCO, later being assigned as the recruiting-training NCO with the Honolulu Recruiting Company. Hawaii was an exciting place to be, as his recruiting activities sent him around the Pacific Rim (Guam, American Samoa, South Korea, and Hawaii). Also with his wife they learned Hawaiian customs and the Hula dance, which they both enjoyed! Richard retired from military service in 1997, with service-related disability, but with many awards.

Richard and Donna moved into their home in Ithaca, NY. However, while swimming (about 2010), Donna became ill and then comatose. So, Richard shifted gear and became her caregiver for several years, along with the excellent services of others, such as Visiting Nurse Services of Tompkins County (VNS). She has been missed.

In 2011, Richard started to develop his dream of working with animals. He started with Class I, general rehabilitation license, with Rabies Vector Species (RVS) added in 2012. Then in 2012, he became a Class II instructor (number 23rd in the state of NY). He opened Wildlife Wishing Well, and became incorporated shortly afterwards. He drew in many interested volunteers along with a veterinarian, all who became licensed, to help with rehabilitating wildlife. He took in rabbits, snakes, turtles, squirrels, Virginia opossums, skunks, and later, coyotes, foxes, and his favorite --raccoons. He continued up until 2025, when a series of illnesses prevented him from accepting any more wildlife and volunteers had dwindled. The raccoons he had at the time, were healthy and large enough to release, with all vaccinated against rabies (as are all the volunteers). So, they went back into the wild to live their natural lives. Although the Board talked about dismantling, Richard would like Wildlife Wishing Well, Inc. to continue, if possible. Consequently, we are rethinking, and maybe by next year, it could be back in operation again, with Richard's blessings!

Richard was blessed with care and thanks from surrounding hospitals, VNS, nursing rehabilitation homes, Foodnet, Hospicare, and Drs. Bael, King, Arleo, the VA, Bangs Ambulance and Funeral Home, and their staff.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, Richard J. Wohlgemuth, Sr. and Helen (Slaupas) Wohlgemuth, and his loving wife of 37 years Donna Lee (Adams) Wohlgemuth. Richard will be buried with his wife in a double urn.

He is survived by his longtime best friends, rehabber and caregiving nurse, Raihana Taylor Zaman and her family, his dedicated veterinarian friend, Bridget Barry, his Georgia niece, Ami Paulachok, and several family members.

A service will be at Bangs Funeral Home (209 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY) starting at 1:30 pm and ending at 2:30pm, Veterans Day (November 11th, 2026). There will be a burial to follow on November 12th, 2026 at Woodlawn Cemetery. You are welcome to visit, peruse photos and mementos, and share your good times you had interacting with Richard, if you so choose. Flowers will grace the burial site. Richard would especially appreciate any donations given to a wildlife organization of your choosing, whenever you can.