Richard H. "Dick" Duffield, age 88, of
Sturgis, Mich., died Tuesday , March 13, 2007, at his home.
He was born Jan. 15, 1919, in Buffalo, N. Y., the only child of
the late Harvey and Rose (Saxon) Duffield.
Dick's early life was spent in Lakewood, Ohio. Following his
graduation from Findlay University in Ohio he moved to Columbia
City, Ind., where he was a high school teacher and football coach.
Dick and his family moved to Livonia, Mich., in 1959 where he was
again a high school teacher and tennis coach. He moved to Sturgis
in 1967 to become the controller at Glen Oaks Community College.
Dick retired from White Pigeon Community Schools in 1986 where he
had been employed as controller.
On April 4, 1942, he married Edith Culbertson in Lawton, Okla.
Dick was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during
World War II in both Japan and Europe and retired from the U.S.
Army Reserves, earning the rank of colonel.
Dick spent over 67 years officiating high school sports, including
football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball,
gymnastics, wrestling, track and cross country.
Dick held several memberships, including Michigan and Indiana High
School Athletic Associations, a life teaching license in Indiana
and Michigan, Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, Thirty
Second Degree Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge. He was also an active
member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis where he was a
member of the church choir and the bell choir for most of the past
40 years. For 14 years Dick volunteered his time as a tax
consultant for AARP.
Surviving are his loving wife of 64 years, Edith; two sons, Keith
Duffield of Sturgis and Larry Duffield of Livonia; six
grandchildren, Denise, Diane, Ryan, Sarah, Lauren and Michael; and
two great-grandchildren.
His daughter, Janet Duffield Black
preceded him in death.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A
memorial service celebrating the life of Richard Duffield will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in
Sturgis. The Rev. Sally Wicks will officiate. A graveside
committal will follow the service at the Sturgis Memorial Gardens
where Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army
Honor Squad will confer full military rites.
The Hackman-Foglesong Funeral Home of Sturgis is handling the
arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be
made to the Dick Duffield Memorial Fund c/o: Sturgis Foundation,
310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.legacy.com. |
