Richard "Dick" Joseph Tschirhart

Richard (Dick) Joseph Tschirhart Sr., 76, of Berkley, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 26, 2017. Beloved husband of Beatrice (Puvalowski). Loving father of David (Michelle), Michael (Amy), Stephen (Anna), Susan (Matthew Breda) Lilly, and Richard Jr. (Lacey). Cherished brother of Kay Sweeney. Proud grandfather of Harrison, Catherine and Gabrielle Lilly, Allison, Tilly and Lucy Breda, Hannah, Emily and Benjamin Tschirhart, Samuel and Sophia Tschirhart, and Madeleine and Nicholas Tschirhart. Preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Frances (Heilig) Tschirhart. Born in Ruth, Michigan on September 21, 1940, Richard graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Ruth, Michigan, class of 1958. Upon graduation, Richard joined the Navy and served four years in the Seabees Construction Battalion in Guam, Saipan and Alaska. He received his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Detroit and pursued a lifelong career in the insurance industry. At the same time he was pursing his career in insurance, Richard proudly served his country as a reservist in the US Navy from 1978-1997, including an overseas deployment during Desert Storm. Richard was an avid and dedicated volunteer making a difference in many organizations. As a member of the congregation of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, he served on the Shrine Stewardship Committee, as a member of the Parish Council, and was an usher at the Saturday, 6:30 mass for many years. Richard was a Charter and Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Counsel 12408, National Shrine of the Little Flower and former State District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus. He was a Fourth Degree Color Corp Member of the Bishop Gallagher Assembly, Clawson, Michigan and he was the VAVS (Veterans Administration Volunteer Services) Representative at the John Dingell VA Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Richard was an active member of the Navy League, serving as the Retention Officer and was a member of the American Legion Berkley Post 374, serving as the Deputy VAVS Rep for the American Legion at the John Dingell VA Hospital. He was also a member of the American Red Cross Blood Services Board, Southeast Michigan. Visitation will be held Friday, July 28 from 2-8:30 pm with Scripture Service at 7 pm at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067. The funeral mass will be held at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 W. 12 Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073 on Saturday, July 29, in state at 9:30 am, Mass at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Wounded & Returning Warrior Program http://www.michiganlegion.org/michigan-wounded.html. View obituary and share memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

Richard "Dick" Joseph Tschirhart

September 21, 1940 - July 26, 2017