Richard Green

And now heaven has a new amazing soul, Richard L Green passed on Sunday September 4th 2016. He spent his last weekend surrounded by his family at his beautiful home in Coldwater, Michigan. Dick, as he preferred to be called, kept active to the end and always had a warm smile for family, friends, and strangers alike. We, his children, Rick, Debbie, Danny, and Jennifer wanted to share this mini-biography of his life to bring warm memories to those who knew this incredible man. Born on October 3rd 1939, Dick was the second child of Maxine and Loyd Green. His older sister Patsy and young brother Loyd passed away in recent years. He grew up on Waffle Farm, what is now the Waffle Farm Campgrounds. As his best friend Tommy McBride reports, there was always mischief in the air. During his high school years, he played on the varsity tennis team, cruised the Coldwater strip and visited the Alamo drive-in on weekends. Although the specifics have been lost in time there is rumor of a trip to Ohio, a night out with his buddies, perhaps some legal beer, and a poor cow that was hit on the way home. We can almost hear his dad saying "Damn Kids". Dick may have been raised a country boy, but his ambitions led him off to Western Michigan University. Not only was he an excellent student, but he was also active in the ROTC. Speaking of being active, Dick ran for the Ugliest Man on Campus (a play on words). During this time, Dick met Connie Norlin. Connie tells the story of how on her first trip to Coldwater, Dick drove through a particularly poor section of town and said his family lived there. Naturally Connie felt so bad for Dick and she did her best to console him. As most of you know, this was Dick just having some fun, and when they actually arrived at the family homestead Connie claimed it was the most elegant home she had ever been to. Connie and Dick married and shortly after he enlisted in the Army. He told the story of a Sargent telling him to slow the hell down he was making the rest of them look bad. He achieved the rank of Firth Lieutenant at the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Fifth Infantry Division. In 1961, his son Rick was born, or as he liked to call him "Ricky Rooner". He enjoyed teaching Rick woodcraft and how to use all the great tools he had collected. Rick went on to marry Kim Kern and they had a child, Brooke Green. Brooke recently married Brian Maltz and graduated college as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We came so close to having a Dr. Green in the family, but Brian beat us to the punch. All kidding aside, Brian is a great addition to our family and we love having him part of it. Brooke is recently accepted a position at the UT Medical Center, orthopedic division, in Toledo, Ohio. Rick now lives in St Pete Beach, Florida where he runs his own company; United States Forensics. Dick’s daughter Debbie arrived, just thirteen months after Rick, at an early birth date of February 27, 1962. Connie had not yet made the trip to Fort Carson, Colorado where Dick was stationed, so he heard the good news by word of the Red Cross. Though there are countless memories and laughs shared with her father, Debbie recalls one of her favorite past times; playing bear with her father who would carry the kids up th stairs on his back. Debbie went on to marry Johnny Ruff in 1981 with whom she had four wonderful children which brought her several beautiful grandchildren. Her oldest, Joshua with granddaughter Megan; Katherine who married Mark Bradford with granddaughters Elina and Destiny; Cari who is engaged to Matthew Collins with grandson Zaiden and expecting granddaughter Oliva 10/2016; and Robert who is now married to Britney Ruff. Debbie re-married in 2007 to Craig Lawson, a loving, kind, and giving man. They both now live in Holland, Michigan and have added three stepchildren (Stephanie, Travis, and Kaylyn) along with a grandson (Gabriel), and granddaughter (Theresa who is now engaged to Terry) to their family. Debbie will always remember her father’s warm smile and kind heart; his memories will live on forever in the hearts of Debbie and her family. March 17, 1964, Dick was honorable discharged from the army to accept a job at Republic Steel. In fact, the CIA invited him in for an interview, that offer came shortly after he started at Republic, but he always wondered how the course of his life would have been different if he had pursued that path. That being said, he truly loved his job at Republic, which later became LTV Steel. Always professional and hardworking he rose through the ranks and ultimately became Manager of Commercial Marketing and Training. He retired from LTV in 1999 but still remained close friends with many of his colleagues. Dick’s second son come into his life in 1967. Danny, or "Douber Dan" as Dick nicknamed him, came along at a playful time of Dick’s life. For many years, Dick and Danny lived as the best of roommates, including at the infamous apartment in the Flats of Cleveland. The two shared a great love of travel, fine food, collecting knives, touring museums, and, of course, attractive women. They travelled to Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Disney, and many trips to visit Patsy in Florida; always listening to audio books to pass the time. Dan graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1990. Dick was especially proud of how his son worked for and then eventually bought the company; Retek, in Avon, Ohio. Dick’s youngest child, Jennifer, arrived in 1969 and she certainly was a Daddy's girl from day one. Jennifer idolized her father. To her, Dick was more handsome than a movie star, the most successful man in the world, and an unparalleled advice giver and comfort source. In high school, Jennifer brought home 17-year-old Brian Birk. Dick immediately took Brian into the family like a son. Jennifer graduated from nursing school in 1992 and has spent her career caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Brian graduated from Case Western Reserve University and went on to work at NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland. When Jennifer and Brian married, Dick expressed his happiness knowing Jennifer would be loved conditionally and taken care of the same way Dick always had. Jennifer and Brian have three wonderful children, Brian Daniel (attending college in Cincinnati), Emily Elizabeth (senior in high school, planning to become a teacher), and Joseph Richard (in sixth grade). The Birk kids loved visiting Grandpa Green at the lake, going to movies, and their new tradition: “Wings and Pizza” night (with a movie, of course!) at Dick’s condo in Avon Lake. Grandpa Green enjoyed his “little buddy” Joey’s interest in baseball and singing. Jennifer is happy that she was able to help Dick and sometimes worried she was “mothering” him, but he would say “no, I love having you here.” Jennifer will remember her father’s strong active personality, open heart, and constant smile. After his retirement in 1999, Dick became more active in the PRL, (an acronym for Patsy, Richard, Loyd), corporation, which operates the Waffle Farm Campgrounds. This magnificent facility has grown over the years and is now run by Billy Green. Sadly, the PRL founders have now all left us, but due to their wisdom, a new generation can enjoy one of the most beautiful camping facilities in Michigan. We wish to recognize our much loved cousins and how blessed we are to have them in our lives. He loved seeing all of you during our Annual Fourth of July picnics at his home. We thank them for all the joy they brought to Dick’s life and all the love they showed him. He loved each and every one of you. Dick wanted the family’s former lake house on Waffle Dr. to come back into the family, so he made a gift of it to his beautiful daughter Jennifer and family. This summer, he enjoyed having Jennifer and her family and friends around more and relishing in the comfort of the lake and lake house. He spent many conversations there with Jennifer talking about how the presence of his Grandma Waffle, his mom, and sister Patsy were still in that house. Every time Dick spoke of his sister, he would take out the picture he carried in his pocket and kiss it. During his last evening with us, Jennifer commented that it was “Just perfect here and she could feel Grandma Green and Aunt Patsy all around.” Dick agreed with his wonderful smile. Throughout this century, Dick became an avid collector of books, guns, knives, historical military and entertainment memorabilia (especially his very favorite Marilyn Monroe), coins, and watches. He was the Director of the Branch County Historical Society and Wing House Museum in 2014. He and good friend, Larry Hoffman, collected Civil War memorabilia and were actively involved in the Branch City Civil War Days. Dick also participated in the Geological Society, Veteran Affairs, the Tibbits Opera House, and many other groups and organizations. He brightened his community with generosity and involvement, and also touched many lives with his enthusiastic, selfless, optimistic personality and continuous smile. We will so miss this charming man, and were very blessed to have him as our father. Rest in Peace Daddy, Love Rick, Debbie, Danny, and Jennifer.