Queer Wisconsin — A living history of LGBTQ+ life in Wisconsin

A living history of LGBTQ+ life in Wisconsin

Person

Richard Allen Kowal

Milwaukee

Biography

Richard Allen Kowal is best known by members of the LGBT community in Milwaukee as the owner of the 'Ballgame' bar for over 30 years. Michail Takach wrote the following summary of Rick's career as a bar owner for LGBTQ History Month in October, 2022:

Images

The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same! (At hearing of Rick's retirement, Aug. 2012:) "So sorry to hear this, but hoping Rick has a wonderful retirement. God knows he deserves it. (The Ballgame) was the first gay bar I was ever in. I think the year was either 1974 or 1975, had the pleasure of knowing Gene O'Brien, met my first love there, Dr. Bob Richter who has since passed on. Bob and I would meet at the Ball Game most every night after work, and enjoy Kenny Wenzel the bartender, aka Keniesha! Rick and his mom Nettie came out to my bar and restaurant in East Troy often to visit me and my Dad. Hard to wrap my head around that such a long running great place will be coming to an end. I used to drive into town and cash checks at the Ball Game just so Rick knew I was in Milwaukee and had not forgotten him! Tuesday will be a big one. Heartbreaking as well. Love you Rick Kowal!" / - Gregg Fitzpatrick (Aug. 2012) Recollections: In the days after his death, numerous people came forward with recollections and tirbutes to Richard. Some of these are as follows: "This makes me so, so, so sad. Ball Game still holds the second-place record (38 years!) for the longest running gay bar at the same address. Rick's decades of contributions to the community cannot be overstated. During my decade in the neighborhood, he was kind enough to let us host parties free of charge, as long as we tipped the bartenders well. So many people, passed and present, have so much gratitude for this man, this space and the memories he created. / / And now, he has left and taken his story with him." / - Michail Takach (2020) "When I was 23yo, I helped open the first Applebees is Wisconsin at Southridge. Rick would always bring in his mother and they would always request me. They were awesome and tipped me very well. I did AIDS fundraising shows there. He was a great guy!!! I got to meet him through playing softball many years ago. As a young gay man, they would tell me the Ballgame was a "wrinkle room", where older men hung out. I didn't care, because it was a fun place to go. I meet some great people there and from their softball team!!" / - 'Packer Chad' Bowman (2020) "So sad to hear of Rick"s passing. I bartended there for quite a few years on weekends, I had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. Rick would bring his mother Neddie in and we would play dice, she was a very sweet lady. I have many good Ballgame memories. Rick was very good to his employees. / - Ron Schmidt (2020) "Rick was one of those bar owners who made EVERYONE feel special. He never let me leave without buying me at least one drink. He went "all out" during the holidays, so people had a warm, friendly place to be." / - Jamie Taylor (2020) OutBound
Rick (on right) with winner of / Turkey & Things Giveaway at Ballgame / November 1984 (In Step vol. 1 issue 14) / In Step