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Richard John Uher

January 26, 1950 - April 26, 2018
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Monday, April 30, 2018
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Monday, April 30, 2018
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
12:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Service

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
1:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
(800) 227-2345
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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All who knew Richard Uher would agree that he was the sort of person who would do whatever he could for someone else. He was a simple man who was content in whatever life brought, even when he faced challenges at times. Rick was known for his strong work ethic, but he also made the time to enjoy life along the way. A devoted family man, he was a loving husband and father who loved nothing more than watching his family tree grow to include the grandchildren he adored. Although Rick will be deeply missed, he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The 1950s were an exciting time in America. Televisions were becoming part of our homes in record numbers, and with shows like I Love Lucy and Father Knows Best to entertain us, we had diverse examples of what the average American family looked like. It was just as this exciting decade was dawning that Jack John and Rith (Lilly) Uher were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as winter held the city of Detroit, Michigan, firmly in its grip. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Richard John drew his first breath on January 26, 1950. His father worked as a truck driver while his mother was a homemaker who also worked as a waitress. When he was a young boy, Rick’s family moved to Saranac where he attended the local elementary school as well as high school through the 11th grade. Rick’s first job was at Fat Man’s Fish Fry on 44th Street in Kentwood, which is where he established the strong work ethic that would follow him for the rest of his life.

New and exciting changes were in store for Rick when he met the woman of his dreams. Her name was Linda Oswalt, and they met through mutual friends. Their first date was at the Canopy, a watering hole on Leonard Street, NW in Grand Rapids. That date led to more dates, and the couple soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Rick and Linda became husband and wife on August 15, 1980, in a small home wedding four years after they began dating. To their marriage Linda brought her three children, and Rick was soon a father to Tim, Albert, and Peggy, loving them as his own. Their family initially lived in an apartment on Sinclair Street, NE, but after five years they moved to East Fulton Street. From there, Rick and Linda moved into their current home on Ann Street, NE. When they were first married, he was working as a truck driver for Dream House Furniture. Later on, Rick worked at Krell Paper Paper Stock for 24 years until retiring two years ago.

Throughout his life Rick was someone who preferred to be doing something. He especially loved caring for his yard, taking the time to plant flowers every year and then taking meticulous care of his lawn. Rick frequented garage sales to look for treasures of his own, and Linda was always right by his side as they did everything together. He loved tinkering with his car, taking care of many of the repairs on his own. Rick enjoyed visiting casinos in Michigan, especially Gun Lake Casino. He loved a good steak and shrimp dinner as well as most anything that Linda cooked, but it has been said that he made a mean bag of popcorn. When it came to music, Rick enjoyed oldies and classic rock, and when watching television he enjoyed shows about cars like Gas Monkey Garage and Pimp My Ride. Rick enjoyed the time he spent with his best friend, Ed Gardner, a co-worker who was more like a brother to him. They did much together, and both retired at the same time.

As much as Rick enjoyed pursuing his interests, there was never anything that was more important to him than spending time with his family. He loved the simple things like shooting baskets with his grandson, Jacob, or just spending time visiting with any of his grandchildren. As someone who was always willing to help, Rick was there for whatever his family or friends needed. Rick and his family were given a tough pill to swallow as his health declined over the past few years. After undergoing a couple of heart surgeries, he more recently suffered more heath struggles, which resulted in additional surgeries.

Kind, gentle, and generous beyond measure, Richard Uher was a blessing to everyone he met. He had a great sense of humor and loved sharing laughter with anyone who was near. Everyone knew they could always count on Rick, and his love for his family was easy to see. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

Richard John Uher, aged 68 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ruth Uher, and his sons, Tim Hutson and Albert Hutson. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda Uher (Oswalt); his daughter, Peggy Hutson; grandchildren, Alex, Javier, Nathalia, Jaykob Landero, and Noah Jones; his sister, Sharon (Jerry) Snyder and brother, Jack Uher; nephew, Kevin (Karen) Snyder; many other nieces, nephews and friends. Richard honorably served his country in the US Army; He retired from Krell Paper Stock where he worked for 24 years. A service to celebrate Richard's life will be held on Tuesday, May 1, at 1:00 pm at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home - 1833 Plainfield NE. Burial in Washington Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Monday from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 pm and again on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the service begins at 1:00 pm. Contributions in his memory may be made to American Cancer Society. To read more about Richard's life, to sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com

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