TRAVERSE CITY — Richard "Dick" Charles Raulin, 75, of Traverse City passed away peacefully in his sleep at his winter home in Placida, Fla., on Feb. 8, 2008. Dick was born in Muskegon on Sept. 24, 1932, to Walter and Nellie Raulin.
Dick married Ruth Steen on Sept. 8, 1951, in Shelby. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, whom he loved very much. The family moved to Traverse City in 1971.
Dick served his country with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a Staff Sergeant.
He was a sales manager in real estate and owned his own company.
Dick enjoyed entertaining and loved to cook for his children, grandchildren and friends at his Long Lake home. He was known for his barbecued ribs. He was very proud of his five grandchildren, and loved them beyond measure.
He was an expert hunter, both with a rifle and a bow, and hunted wild game throughout the United States and Canada. Dick handed over his shot of a lifetime at a trophy caribou in Alaska to his beloved wife, Ruth.
Dick brightened the days of many people with his good-hearted humor. There may never have been a more loyal fan of the Detroit Lions. Dick's courage and perseverance were unwavering as he faced health challenges in his later years.
Surviving Dick are his wife of 56 years, Ruth; two daughters, Pamela (Gary) Klotzbach and Rebecca (Craig) Tester, both of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Madie and Jack Begley, Drake Tester, and Sarah and Tom Klotzbach; a brother, David (Linda) Raulin; three sisters, Margaret (Mel) Curtis, Patricia (Paul) Lange, and Juanita (Wendell) Broome; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and two of his sisters, Barbara and Judith.
A Celebration of Life for Dick will be held on Saturday, May 24, at 2 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Traverse City, with Dr. Gary Hogue officiating.
The family asks that Dick be remembered through memorial contributions to the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
