Richard Peters

All who knew Richard Peters would agree that he was a man of great character and conviction who was generous with his time and resources in ways both great and small. Dick made a successful career in an industry that was one of his greatest passions, and in so doing he served the people in the community he called home throughout his entire life. A devoted family man, he loved nothing more than becoming a grandfather, and then great grandfather later in life, and it was easy to see that his family was his greatest source of pride and joy. A man of great courage and strength, Dick’s positive attitude toward life never wavered, even when engaged in the fight for his life. He never complained. Although he will be deeply missed, the imprint he leaves on the hearts of countless others will never be forgotten.

It seems only fitting that Dick’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the Roaring Twenties when radios, refrigerators, and affordable cars became part of our daily lives when baseball became America’s favorite pastime and the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. It was on November 7, 1928, that George and Ann (Soderman) Peters were blessed with the birth of the baby boy they named Richard Louis. He was their only child, and he was raised in the family home on Montgomery Avenue in Muskegon, Michigan, during his earliest years. Dick’s father worked as a printer, although Dick and his mother were given a tough pill to swallow with the death of his father when Dick was only three years old. He and his mother then lived with her family for a time before moving in with her father-in-law to help care for Dick's grandfather. His mother found work at Shaw Walker and Wasserman's Floral to help provide for the family.

In many ways Dick was a young boy of his generation. He attended Nims Elementary School and also went to Our Saviours Lutheran Church where he would eventually be confirmed. When Dick was 12, his mother married Dr. Rueben Berg who loved Dick and raised him as his own son. At the young age of three he discovered his passion for cars and could identify various makes of cars when they were out driving. When he was 14 years old, Dick bought his first car, a Model T Ford truck for eight dollars and pairs of roller skates.

After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1946, Dick went on to Muskegon Community College where he played on the basketball team for three years. In 1950 he was drafted into the United States Army during the days of the Korean Conflict. He left a very important piece of his heart back home during this time as he had met the young girl of his dreams while at a football game in high school. Her name was Ardis Allen, and they became high school sweethearts. Their love only continued to grow in Dick’s absence, and while home on leave they were married on December 23, 1950, at Samuel Lutheran Church. Dick was soon sent to Korea where he saw combat, and after serving for exacty two years he returned to Muskegon.

There was nothing Dick treasured more than his family that grew to include three sons including Robert in 1953, Jim in 1955, and John in 1958. In 1954 they moved into a house on Curtis Street in North Muskegon that Dick would call home for the rest of his life. He was a proud father who enjoyed his boys in their activities as they grew up. He was there for their sporting events and was thrilled when they set several records at North Muskegon High School. When they went off to college, Dick became even more of Michigan State Spartan fan as he often rented a motorhome to take to MSU football games with family and friends. Sadly, Dick’s oldest son, Bob, was diagnosed with brain cancer and after a tough battle died in 1980. To honor Bob he and his remaining sons generously contributed to a strength and training center at North Muskegon High School

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Dick made a career in the industry he loved - the car industry. As a young man he quickly became a successful car salesman at Hathaway Motors, and he later spent 25 years at Matson Oldsmobile Cadillac, winning sales awards including a ring for the most Cadillac sales one year; which son Jim proudly wears today. Later, Dick owned and operated his own used car lot, Peters Auto Sales. He satiated his love for cars by attending the huge Classic Car Auction in Auburn, Indiana, for decades, always with friends and members of his family. Although he never officially retired, in recent years Dick liked getting up and making his rounds to his car lot, stopping at Classy Chassy or Lairds to talk with his buddies, and often stopping for coffee at McDonald’s. Through the years he found a few classic convertibles that he also loved, but none quite as much as his first truck.

Later in life Dick continued to be blessed with a growing extended family. He was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandfather. Affectionately called “Big D” by his grandchildren, he enjoyed watching them in all of their dance, choir, theater, and sporting events and was so proud of their many accomplishments. He and Ardis loved hosting Thanksgiving at their home, and it was such a day to remember when his family had a huge party in celebration of Dick and Ardis’ 60th wedding anniversary. At these events he would occasionally surprisingly be able to recite Shakespeare he learned as a child and a favorite poem about the Clock of Life which he memorized in high school. Family reunions as well as class reunions were favorite events as well. Dick was a proud member of the Old Newsboys for whom he volunteered on collection day on the corner of Broadway and Henry for 50 years. He liked going the farmers market and attending “Parties in the Park” during the summers where he chatted away with friends. Dick continued to be a passionate Spartan fan, and he was an all-around avid college basketball fan.

Although Richard Peters will be remembered for his signature cardigan sweaters and driving around town in his Cadillac, it will be his love of his family that will be his lasting legacy. He was a family man who was very much the patriarch of his family. Dick’s positive attitude never wavered including while living with an extended illness, his strength a true inspiration to all who were near. He will be deeply missed while his memory is forever cherished.

Richard Louis Peters died on December 14, 2014. Dick’s family includes his wife, Ardis; two sons, James and John (Karen) of Grand Haven; eight grandchildren, Tiffany (Logan) Creager, Philip and Rick all in Indianapolis, IN, Jamie, Saint Joseph, MI, Jennifer (Mikey) Winslow, New York City, Angela (Doug) DeMartin, Hanover, NH, Thomas, Grand Rapids, MI and Ashima, Cincinnati, OH; and two great grandchildren, Piper and Hadley of Indianapolis. Dick was preceded in death by his father, George A. Peters; mother, Ann; step father, Ruben Berg; and his son, Robert in 1980. Services will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon. Entombment in Evergreen Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home-Muskegon. Memorials can be made to Harbor Hospice or Old Newsies/Goodfellows Organization. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.