Richard D. Trentlage obit

Richard Trentlage Obituary

 

He was not on the list.

Richard D. Trentlage, 87, of Fox River Grove, passed away September 21, 2016.

He was born December 27, 1928, in Chicago, to Richard B. and Edna (nee Nossum) Trentlage. Richard, composer of The Oscar Mayer Wiener Song, was relatively unknown to the general public. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and friend and will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was a jingle writer. He wrote jingles for McDonald's, the National Safety Council, and V8, but he is best known for the long-running jingle for Oscar Mayer wieners. Adver/Sonic Productions was formed by Henry Brandon, Trentlage, and Jack Sherred.

Trentlage later enjoyed playing the banjo ukulele. He went to work in advertising and was employed by large firms that included McCann Erickson.

Trentlage wrote jingles for McDonald's ("McDonald's is your kind of place!"), the National Safety Council ("Buckle up for safety, buckle up!") and V8 ("Wow! It sure doesn't taste like tomato juice."), founding Adver/Sonic Productions. In the late 1990s Trentlage was living in Fox River Grove, Illinois and still writing jingles.

In 1962, Trentlage learned that Oscar Mayer was holding a jingle contest for its hot dogs. With the deadline the next day, he wrote:

Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / That is what I’d truly like to be

’Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / Everyone would be in love with me

Trentlage was born in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Calumet High School. He composed his first jingle in high school, and he played guitar in a band with his brother and a friend.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Jacqueline (Tooms); children, David (Roxanne), Tom, Linda (Bob) Bruun and Becky (Patrick Plumley); step-children, Susan Jennings, Patricia Kelley, and Jeffrey Davis; twenty grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Vivian (nee Youngs) Atherley; son, Terry; and brother, William.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM with a visitation starting at 10:00 AM at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake.