When you ask Julie Ketter to describe her husband Rick, the word helpful comes up again and again. Not in the flashy, attention-seeking kind of way—but in the quiet, dependable way that defines a life well-lived.
“He was always someone who just did what needed to be done,” Julie shared. “Helping people came naturally to him. Whether it was family, church, his job, or the community—he gave it his full attention.”
Rick Ketter moved to Ripon in 1970, taking a job at Speed Queen after graduating from UW–Whitewater with a degree in accounting. He spent 32 years there before transitioning to a new role: administering a grant that helped establish an after-school program for the Ripon Area School District. That program became known as BRAVE, and it connected Rick deeply to the students in the district.
With encouragement from the district’s business manager at the time, Rick returned to school to earn his master’s degree in school business management. He later stepped into the business manager role himself, serving in that position for about ten years.
Beyond his work in the schools, Rick had a long history of community involvement. He volunteered with the junior bowling program, was active in the Ripon Jaycees, and served in countless behind-the-scenes roles—always willing to say yes when asked. After retirement, he took on a major role with the East Central Benefit Tractor Cruise, coordinating registration and managing various things as treasurer. The event raises money for food pantries in participating communities and for school district programs supporting student needs—two causes Rick cared deeply about.
At the high school, Rick kept an office stocked with simple things—bread, peanut butter, cookies—because he knew there were students who hadn’t had breakfast. He didn’t make a big deal of it. He just made sure they had something to eat.
When Rick passed away, Julie knew she wanted to honor his memory in a way that reflected who he was. The Richard J. Ketter Memorial Scholarship was created through memorial gifts and with the quiet but strong intention to support students—just like Rick had done in life.
“We’d talked about starting a scholarship before, but never got around to it,” Julie said. “After he passed, it felt like the right time. He believed in education, in working hard, and in giving back.”
The scholarship isn’t tied to a specific major or career path. Instead, it honors students who, like Rick, show a willingness to contribute—through part-time jobs, school or church involvement, or community activities.
“Grades matter, of course,” Julie said, “but we also ask applicants to share how they’ve been involved—how they’re helping others, even in small ways. You can be going into any field and still make a difference in your community.”
Julie hopes the scholarship will ease the financial burden for students while also encouraging them to reflect on how they can serve others as they move forward.
“I’d love for it to grow over time,” she said. “And I hope the students who receive it carry forward a little bit of who Rick was—someone who quietly showed up and made things better, just by being who he was.”