Richard (Dick) Lawrence Beachnau, age 85 of Gaylord , passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Richard was born to Louis and Alice (Joslyn) Bitschnau on February 23, 1932. His love of theater and music began in high school at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing while playing the saxophone for the Blue Notes. Also, while in high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and wore his ring proudly for the rest of his life. He was also selected as a varsity quarterback at St. Mary. He met his wife Rosemary in high school and they married in 1954, just before he left to serve in the Korean War. Dick attended Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work and was a Spartan fan for life.
Dick and Rosemary moved their seven children to Gaylord in 1972 to pursue Dick’s career with the Diocese of Gaylord. He was influential in the community serving on the school board, with United Way, the Sportsplex, OCCOA, and St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and school.
He enjoyed being both a Burgermeister and a Harmonymeister, and had many other varied interests dear to him; but his family always came first.
Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemary (Hathaway), and his children, Mike (Joan), Pat (Carol), Brian (Barb), Mary (Bob) Johnson, Karen Robb, Greg (Chris), and Paul. His grandchildren, Justin (Emily), Emily (Brian) Boos, Katie Robb, Kate (Jeff) Spanke, Joe (Danielle), Allie Robb, Matt (Maegen), Megan Robb, Adam (Fiancé Pamela), Sam Johnson, Kelly (Fiancé Eli), Christina, Oliver Johnson, Isabel Johnson, Jimmy Robb, Abby, Timmy and eleven very special great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Lou, Don and Bill Beachnau and his granddaughter, Jennifer.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11 AM from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.
Visitation will take place at the Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 3 PM – 6 PM and on Monday at the cathedral beginning at 10 AM until the time of service.
A parish rosary will be offered on Sunday at the funeral home beginning at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral Schools.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Richard was born to Louis and Alice (Joslyn) Bitschnau on February 23, 1932. His love of theater and music began in high school at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing while playing the saxophone for the Blue Notes. Also, while in high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and wore his ring proudly for the rest of his life. He was also selected as a varsity quarterback at St. Mary. He met his wife Rosemary in high school and they married in 1954, just before he left to serve in the Korean War. Dick attended Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work and was a Spartan fan for life.
Dick and Rosemary moved their seven children to Gaylord in 1972 to pursue Dick’s career with the Diocese of Gaylord. He was influential in the community serving on the school board, with United Way, the Sportsplex, OCCOA, and St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and school.
He enjoyed being both a Burgermeister and a Harmonymeister, and had many other varied interests dear to him; but his family always came first.
Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemary (Hathaway), and his children, Mike (Joan), Pat (Carol), Brian (Barb), Mary (Bob) Johnson, Karen Robb, Greg (Chris), and Paul. His grandchildren, Justin (Emily), Emily (Brian) Boos, Katie Robb, Kate (Jeff) Spanke, Joe (Danielle), Allie Robb, Matt (Maegen), Megan Robb, Adam (Fiancé Pamela), Sam Johnson, Kelly (Fiancé Eli), Christina, Oliver Johnson, Isabel Johnson, Jimmy Robb, Abby, Timmy and eleven very special great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Lou, Don and Bill Beachnau and his granddaughter, Jennifer.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11 AM from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.
Visitation will take place at the Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 3 PM – 6 PM and on Monday at the cathedral beginning at 10 AM until the time of service.
A parish rosary will be offered on Sunday at the funeral home beginning at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral Schools.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Richard (Dick) Lawrence Beachnau, age 85 of Gaylord , passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Richard was born to Louis and Alice (Joslyn) Bitschnau on February 23, 1932. His love of theater and music began in high school at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing while playing the saxophone for the Blue Notes. Also, while in high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and wore his ring proudly for the rest of his life. He was also selected as a varsity quarterback at St. Mary. He met his wife Rosemary in high school and they married in 1954, just before he left to serve in the Korean War. Dick attended Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work and was a Spartan fan for life.
Dick and Rosemary moved their seven children to Gaylord in 1972 to pursue Dick’s career with the Diocese of Gaylord. He was influential in the community serving on the school board, with United Way, the Sportsplex, OCCOA, and St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and school.
He enjoyed being both a Burgermeister and a Harmonymeister, and had many other varied interests dear to him; but his family always came first.
Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemary (Hathaway), and his children, Mike (Joan), Pat (Carol), Brian (Barb), Mary (Bob) Johnson, Karen Robb, Greg (Chris), and Paul. His grandchildren, Justin (Emily), Emily (Brian) Boos, Katie Robb, Kate (Jeff) Spanke, Joe (Danielle), Allie Robb, Matt (Maegen), Megan Robb, Adam (Fiancé Pamela), Sam Johnson, Kelly (Fiancé Eli), Christina, Oliver Johnson, Isabel Johnson, Jimmy Robb, Abby, Timmy and eleven very special great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Lou, Don and Bill Beachnau and his granddaughter, Jennifer.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11 AM from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.
Visitation will take place at the Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 3 PM – 6 PM and on Monday at the cathedral beginning at 10 AM until the time of service.
A parish rosary will be offered on Sunday at the funeral home beginning at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral Schools.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Richard was born to Louis and Alice (Joslyn) Bitschnau on February 23, 1932. His love of theater and music began in high school at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing while playing the saxophone for the Blue Notes. Also, while in high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and wore his ring proudly for the rest of his life. He was also selected as a varsity quarterback at St. Mary. He met his wife Rosemary in high school and they married in 1954, just before he left to serve in the Korean War. Dick attended Michigan State University where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work and was a Spartan fan for life.
Dick and Rosemary moved their seven children to Gaylord in 1972 to pursue Dick’s career with the Diocese of Gaylord. He was influential in the community serving on the school board, with United Way, the Sportsplex, OCCOA, and St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and school.
He enjoyed being both a Burgermeister and a Harmonymeister, and had many other varied interests dear to him; but his family always came first.
Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemary (Hathaway), and his children, Mike (Joan), Pat (Carol), Brian (Barb), Mary (Bob) Johnson, Karen Robb, Greg (Chris), and Paul. His grandchildren, Justin (Emily), Emily (Brian) Boos, Katie Robb, Kate (Jeff) Spanke, Joe (Danielle), Allie Robb, Matt (Maegen), Megan Robb, Adam (Fiancé Pamela), Sam Johnson, Kelly (Fiancé Eli), Christina, Oliver Johnson, Isabel Johnson, Jimmy Robb, Abby, Timmy and eleven very special great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Lou, Don and Bill Beachnau and his granddaughter, Jennifer.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11 AM from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.
Visitation will take place at the Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 3 PM – 6 PM and on Monday at the cathedral beginning at 10 AM until the time of service.
A parish rosary will be offered on Sunday at the funeral home beginning at 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral Schools.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
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