Richard Louis Hanchett's Obituary
Big Rapids - Richard L. Hanchett, known to friends as "Dick," passed away from pneumonia in Big Rapids on March 22, 2020, at the age of 84 years. He was born on September 10, 1935.
A native of Big Rapids, Dick graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1953 and subsequently studied Liberal Arts at Alma College. He was an only child and was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn (nee Forster) and father, Loren B. Hanchett, who were owners of the acclaimed Hanchett's manufacturing in Big Rapids. A lifelong bachelor, Dick worked and retired from Hanchett's. He always found a way to make someone smile when they least expected it.
Dick was a model citizen and supportive of many political causes. He was a philanthropist and his donations made a positive long-lasting impact in West Michigan.
Dick was passionate about boats and boat racing. He spent many summer days cruising the Muskegon River and area lakes on his speed boat. He was a member of the Muskegon River Boat Club for about three decades, often attending the club's social and charity events.
Dick was a loving, generous person who cherished Rusty, his cat, as if he were his child. Dick was a military history enthusiast and was especially interested in World War II. A "gadget guy" through and through, he enjoyed building and tinkering with radios and remote-controlled cars, helicopters, and planes. Dick was active in model rocketry. He took many of his family and friends out to rural fields in West Michigan to shoot off and retrieve his home-made rockets. Dick was a skilled and shrewd Monopoly player, challenging anyone to play him and then frequently defeating them easily.
Dick is survived by family members throughout the United States and his friends in West Michigan. Everyone who had the fortune to know Dick will carry memories of him in their hearts forever.
Dick will be laid to rest next to his parents in Highland View Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Doctors without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. Care and arrangements are entrusted to Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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