Richard Raschke

Richard G. "Rich" Raschke of Kalamazoo Passed away on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the age of 61. Rich was born on September 30, 1956 in St. Louis, MO. Rich grew up in Missouri, moved to California, and settled in Michigan. He graduated from Middleville High School in 1975 summa cum laude where he was a member of the National Honor Society and earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He furthered his education at Western Michigan University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelors in Business Administration. He was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity. Rich married the love of his life, Susan Karn on September 22, 1984. They were blessed with two daughters Erin and Elizabeth. Rich enjoyed spending vacations and holidays with family, professional baseball (Go Cardinals!), and teaching his daughters all of the random trivia facts a person would ever need to know. Rich was involved in a multitude of community activities including Portage Rotary, BNI in Battle Creek, and several recreational sports leagues including softball, golf, bowling, and volleyball. Professionally, Rich was the owner/operator of his own business, A-1 Signs. Rich will be remembered forever for his practical jokes, sense of humor, passion for his business, and especially the love of Family. He will be missed and remembered. Rich was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Perkins; his in-laws, Eugene and Florence Karn; and a brother-in-law, Richard Karn. Rich is survived by his loving wife Susan; two daughters, Erin (Derek) Geschwendt of Portage; Elizabeth Raschke and her fiance, Michael Shea of New York, NY; two grandsons, Caleb and Finn Geschwendt; mother, Ellen Raschke; two sisters, Patricia (Fritz) Cherrington of Morrison, CO and Cathy (Mike) Popma of Middleville, MI; three sisters-in-law, Sharon (Dave) Namenye of Davison, MI, Barbara Karn of Portage, and Barbara Perkins of MO; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20th at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Avenue, with The Rev. Rachel Laughlin officiating. Memorials may be directed to Portage Rotary Charities, PO Box 55, Portage MI 49081.