December 10, 1930 – July 1, 2024
Richard Reuther, or as his friends and family called him, Dick, had many roles. Son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend. He had a way about him, making people feel cared for and supported. He truly meant so much to so many people, as evidenced in his final days.
Dick spent his early childhood years living in Detroit until his family moved to the Walled Lake area. He graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1949, and was the drum major for the marching band, his first but not last, leadership role. He held a variety of jobs and served in the Navy during the Korean War. In 1959 he landed his dream job as a patrolman for the Bloomfield Township Police Department. Dick rose to the rank of Lieutenant and held the role of Director of Traffic Safety. He loved to learn, attending numerous criminal justice and traffic safety courses at Michigan State University and Oakland Community College during his career. He also loved to teach, as an instructor and public speaker. Dick retired from the police department to pursue his other passion, having his own business in California, eventually returning to Michigan and working as a security officer at what was then Pontiac General Hospital as well as an ordinance officer for White Lake Township. Dick had an impact in all of those roles, maintaining life-long friendship with colleagues.
What Dick loved most though was his family. To meet him was to hear stories of his four daughters and their accomplishments. That love extended to his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended circle of friends. He had a wonderful impact on so many, always making those in his life feel cared for. That is truly his legacy. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary (Rice), his daughters, Catherine Nagy, Jennifer Van Horn (Scott), Barbara Kozloff (Ron) and Carol Paszkiewicz (Mark Paddock) as well as grandchildren Alex Nagy (Lizzie), Amanda Orellana (Jose); Alicia Van Horn (Ryan Schaller); Rich Van Horn (Heather); Riley Kozloff, Mackenzie Kozloff, Kaitlyn Paszkiewicz, Courtney Paszkiewicz, and Cameron Paszkiewicz as well as five great grandchildren, with a sixth due in September. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Lillian Reuther, and sisters Barbara Reuther & Patricia Heard (Robert). A Celebration of Life is being planned for a date in August. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Living Hope Lutheran Church or to the Surrey Twp. Public Library. Arrangements were handled by the Farwell Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com
