Richard Theodore Tarnas

1923 - 2016

TARNAS

RICHARD THEODORE

August 26, 1923 -

April 25, 2016.

Richard Theodore Tarnas died peacefully at his lakeside home on Monday, April 25, at the age of 92. He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Louise. He is survived by his sister Delphine (John M. Sheridan), his sister-in-law Valerie (Harold, deceased), and his children, Richard (Yvonne) of California, Robert (Barbara) of Vermont, Catherine (Kim, deceased) of Michigan, Stbon (Kristin) of Hawaii, Paul (Donna) of Michigan, David (Carolyn) of Hawaii, Christopher (Susie) of Michigan, and Terre of Michigan, as well as by eighteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and Jeanne Moesta, his companion during his final decade. At his side at the time of his death was his son Christopher, who had provided extraordinary care for his father in his last years.

Richard Tarnas was born in Detroit on August 26, 1923, the son of Peter Tarnas and Charlotte Kolowicz Tarnas. An active member and pillar of Gesu Catholic Church and Parish for many decades, he attended Gesu Elementary School, the University of Detroit High School, and the University of Detroit. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon his return to Detroit, he entered the University of Detroit School of Law, receiving his law degree and passing the Federal Bar in 1949. On April 23 of that year he married Mary Louise Hommel, and together they raised a family of six sons and two daughters, beginning in Geneva, Switzerland where he studied international law for a year, and continuing for over half a century in Detroit with summers on Cass Lake. The family homes, on Fairfield Avenue across from the University of Detroit where they resided for ten years (1955-1965), and Strathcona Drive in Palmer Woods where they lived for forty years (1965-2005), were always welcoming, busy centers of family, neighborhood, and community activities. Mary Louise died in 2005.

For twenty-five years, Richard Tarnas served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command headquartered in Warren, Michigan. He was also a professor of law at several law schools in Michigan, including fifty years at the University of Detroit School of Law. Active in many organizations, he served as president and co-founder of the Federal Bar Association Eastern Michigan District Chapter, president of the Palmer Woods Association, and president and long-time board member of the Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union. He received many career achievement and distinguished service awards throughout his life. He was deeply devoted to his family, ensured that all received excellent educations, and enjoyed taking the family on many camping trips throughout the country. He loved traveling, sailing, fishing, and snorkeling, and greatly appreciated music, theater, and the arts. Richard Tarnas was a highly respected as well as beloved figure in the greater Detroit area for over nine decades.

Visitation will be at Wessels and Wilk Funeral Home in Pleasant Ridge on Sunday, May 8, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at Gesu Church on Monday, May 9, 2016, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. For those who wish, the family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the University of Detroit Jesuit High School.