Richard C. Young's Obituary
Richard Charles "Dick" Young, 87, longtime teacher and coach at Big Rapids High School, passed away peacefully with family at his side Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Royal View Retirement Community in Canadian Lakes, where he was presently residing. Dick was born February 2, 1926 in Rockford to Carl and Claribel (Armstrong) Young. After graduating from Rockford High School as a record breaking athlete in five sports, he continued his education on athletic scholarships at Michigan State, where he played football and basketball. While at MSU, Dick met Shirley Erickson, with whom he shared his life for 54 years and raised 2 boys. Before settling into his more than 30 year career of teaching in both Cadillac and Big Rapids, Dick played semi-pro basketball. He had a brief enlistment in the U.S. Air Force where he learned to fly, and continued flying his family in their Cessna 172. When not in the classroom, Dick kept busy coaching basketball, football and tennis. Tennis became his sport of choice as he played and won tournaments well into his 70's. He and Shirley loved to travel to Florida and Montana on vacations and school breaks. After retirement from teaching in 1981, Dick decided to venture into his second career as a National Park Ranger in Glacier Park, Montana. He was very involved in community activities, serving as president of the Big Rapids Rotary Club, and as a summer recreation program director. Dick was a driving force in the conception and construction of the Fairman Community Pool in Big Rapids. He was an avid fisherman with fishing adventures from Key West to Alaska, and bagged many bucks with his archery and firearm skills. After losing his beloved Shirley in 2005, he was blessed by a reunion with a classmate from Rockford, Margaret Norris. Dick and Margaret spent the last 8 years traveling between Florida, his home in Big Rapids and her cottage at Big Star Lake. They sang and danced their way into their 80's. Margaret was a great comfort singing and holding his hand right to the end. Dick will be missed by all the people he taught, mentored, coached or just touched lives with his stories. He is survived by his son Robert (Robin) Young of Big Rapids, three grandchildren; Dakota, Rachael and Reegan plus niece Nancy Young of Rockford. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and son Richard "Rick", Jr., his parents, three brothers and two sisters. Funeral services for Dick will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. His family will greet friends at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 27, and 10:00 a.m. prior to services on Tuesday. Following cremation, burial will be at West Cemetery in Big Rapids. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Dick's name to the Brookside Elementary School PTO for the construction of new playground equipment with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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