Richard V. Derrick II

Richard V. Derrick has gone to the 19th Hole in the Great Beyond after living a life that was par for the course.

Dick and Arlys Derrick welcomed "Thumper" in 1945. Rich spent his early years in Ludington, Mich., where he had a brief acting career taking the title role in "The Lazy Brownie," a second-grade Christmas play. Later he portrayed Young Marquette in the "Mason Co. Centennial."

Rich taught himself to read before kindergarten and remained an avid reader throughout his life. His enormous collection of books represented his interest in history, especially the Civil War and science and fantasy fiction.

As a teen, he had a paper route that included Silver Beach. Next employment was doing obituaries for The Herald-Press. Rich graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and continued his education at Lake Michigan College. He then served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in Okinawa. A long career with Whirlpool followed.

He enjoyed travel to Europe, the Great Lakes area, Civil War battlefields, Florida and various golf courses. Even before retiring, Rich was passionate about golf and accumulated league awards. He was also a lifelong Detroit Lions fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Warren Skoda.

He is survived by sisters: Terri Moore (Paul), Debbie Gibbs (Danny), Joan Skoda; brother, Peter (Hope); nieces: Valerie Colvert, Dana Hurst, Tania Comly; nephews: John Moore, Nathaniel Gibbs, Jacob Gibbs, Gregg Marsh, Nathan Marsh and great-niece Elysia Soriano.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests supporting the work of Civil War Battlefield Preservation – American Battlefield Trust. Friends and family will be invited to an interment service and celebration of life later this spring. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Rich's memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.