Richard M. Leach

LEACH, Richard M. - Of Grand Blanc, age 84, peacefully transitioned to eternal life on Thursday, March 23, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral service will be held 11am Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Central Church of the Nazarene, G-1261 West Bristol Road, Flint, with Military Honors.

Pastor Dave Hintz officiating.

Burial in Evergreen Cemetery with Military Honors.

Visitation 12-8pm Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Visitation 10:30am Tuesday at church until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to Central Church of the Nazarne or the Univeristy of Michigan Athletic Department.

Dick was born on August 3, 1932, the son of Ernest and Gladys Leach and was raised in Flint, Michigan. He attended Central High School from 1947 to 1950 earning seven varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of three Saginaw Valley football championship teams, and two Saginaw Valley baseball championship teams. The 1947 football team was recognized as state champions. He was captain of both the football and baseball teams. He played on the 1949 American Legion State Baseball Championship team as well as the 1949 and 1950 Detroit Times Hearst Baseball Championship teams.

Dick graduated from University of Michigan and was awarded freshman football numerals and earned three letters as a regular catcher on the baseball team. The baseball team won two Big Ten Baseball Championships and won the 1953 NCAA Baseball Championship. He played one year of professional baseball in the Detroit Tiger Minor Leagues. Dick spent two years in the US Army and then earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan.

He taught and coached at Romulus High School for two years and then returned to Flint Southwestern High School when it opened in 1959. He was an assistant football coach for three years and head coach for two years, winning the Saginaw Valley Championship in his first year as head coach. He coached baseball for five years winning four City Championships and one Saginaw Valley Championship. Two of his players, Merv Rettenmund and Bobby Reed played major league baseball.

In 1964, Dick moved into administration as City Athletic Director and Physical Education Consultant for Secondary Schools. He held this position for twenty-four years until his retirement in 1988. Dick was the Executive Secretary of the Saginaw Valley High School Association for eighteen years and Commissioner of Officials for four years.

Flint hosted many MHSSA athletic events during his tenure. He was Director of the State Track Finals for eleven years as well as State Soccer Finals, Football Quarter and Semi-finals, and several Quarter-final Basketball tournaments.

He has been awarded several honors and awards including the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame, MADPEA Regional Athletic Director of the Year, Lifetime “M” Club Member, “M” Victors Club Member, U of M Distinguished Alumni Service Awards, Bob Ufer Distinguished M Club Award, Flint U of M Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame and Flint Sports Old Timers, past President of the Flint U of M Club, chairperson of the Flint U of M Sports Outing for fifteen years, and past Vice President of the Durkee Lakes Hunting and Fishing Club.

Dick has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nancy, for sixty-four years. They raised five children, Dr. Debra Chinonis, Rick, Don, Dr. Susan Reckell, and Vicki Margaritis. All of their children have attended college. He is proud of their thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Dick was an avid outdoorsman, spending retirement attending Michigan football and basketball games as well as hiking, hunting, wildlife photography, and traveling. He was a member of Central Church of the Nazarene

Surviving are wife, Nancy;

Children, Dr. Debra (Dennis) Chinonis, Rick, Don (Kaye), Dr. Susan (Tim) Reckell, and Vicki (John) Margaritis;

Grandchildren, Nancy Chinonis (Jeff Lauster), Elias Chinonis, Richard Chinonis, Michael (Lauren) Leach, Matthew Leach, Ryan Leach, Clayton Leach, Chelsea Reckell, Tori (Drew) Scholl, Trevor Reckell, Angela (Ethan) Margaritis Smith, George Margaritis, and Sophia Margaritis;

Great-grandchildren, Sophia Margaritis Smith, Mary Lucia Scholl, and Ellie Leach;

Twin brother, Robert N. (Bob) and Mary Louise;

Several in-laws, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Gladys Leach, in-laws, Clarence and Mildred Hyatt, brother, Jack F. Leach and grandson, baby boy Margaritis;