Richard Frank Eldridge's Obituary
Big Rapids - Richard F. Eldridge, 76, of Big Rapids, MI, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids.
Rick was born July 12, 1944, in Battle Creek, MI, the son of F. Frank and Marie (Schafer) Eldridge. He graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School in 1962. Rick earned his associates degree in drafting from Kellogg Community College and attended Western Michigan University.
In 1966, Rick enlisted in the United States Air Force. He worked in aircraft navigation repair in the Philippines and Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1970. That same year, he married Barbara J. Cooper, and the couple moved to the Denver, CO area. Rick earned a B.A. in industrial arts education from the University of Northern Colorado and taught high school in Westminster, CO.
In 1977, they returned to Battle Creek, where Rick worked for Keiper-Recaro Co. They moved to Big Rapids in 1986 when Rick accepted a teaching position at Ferris State University. He taught drafting and tool design as an assistant professor until his retirement in 2006.
Rick loved the outdoors and was an enthusiastic sports fan. He golfed in leagues at the Clear Lake and Katke courses. He and Barb were longtime season ticket holders for Ferris State Hockey and were Blue Line Club Ambassadors. Rick volunteered time to Habitat for Humanity and the Mecosta County Democrats. From childhood classmates to weekly pool buddies at Eastgate, he maintained and valued many lifelong friendships.
Surviving are his wife Barbara; son Jeffrey of New York, NY; daughter Kimberly (Joel) Burman of Caledonia, MI; grandchildren Noah and Riley, whom he loved dearly; sister Patricia (Roger) Fosdick; brother-in-law Bill (Lee) Cooper; nephew Robert (Shari) Fosdick; and five grand-nephews and one grand-niece.
A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity at mecostahabitat.org, the Our Brother's Keeper Shelter in Big Rapids at obkshelter.org, or the National MS Society at nationalmssociety.org. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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