Richard David Weber

A pillar in the legal community of Detroit for over 40 years; devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather
Richard David Weber ("Dick") of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, passed away on June 24, 2025, at the age of 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He died peacefully in the embrace of his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Ellen Weber, and their five children.
Dick was a man of profound character, rooted in faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church. He was a natural-born leader known for his steady wisdom, compassion, loyalty, and deep love for family and friends.
Dick was passionate about fly fishing for wild trout and hunting big game in beautiful places. He was a skilled storyteller and loved recounting adventurous tales of moose hunting in Canada, elk hunting in Montana, and catching giant tarpon in Boca Grande, Florida. He treasured spending time with his family at Windigo, the family hunting and fishing camp built by his father in northern Michigan many years ago. His favorite of all was dry fly fishing for big browns on the Rifle and AuSable Rivers with his dad, brothers, sons and grandsons.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 4, 1938, to the late Paul and Ramona Weber. The young family soon moved to Lansing, where Paul served in the administration of Governor G. Mennen Williams. Dick graduated in 1956 from Lansing Resurrection High School (now Lansing Catholic Central), where he was a top student and a star athlete. He captained both the basketball and football teams and was especially proud of winning the city championship in basketball during his senior year. He met many lifelong friends at Resurrection High School, and their antics were legendary among the Dominican Nuns who taught them. Dick continued his stellar basketball and scholarly pursuits at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, where he earned four varsity letters, and the Joseph Baker Student Athlete Award before graduating in 1960.
Shortly after graduation, Dick enrolled in law school, and he excelled. He received his Juris Doctor with distinction from Wayne State University Law School in1963, where he served as Senior Editor of The Wayne Law Review, was the recipient of multiple scholarships and received the Moot Court Award.
It was during law school that he met his first love, Donna Marie Maher. They were married in 1962 and were blessed with three children. Tragically, Donna died unexpectedly in the summer of 1966. Those first few years were difficult, but Dick stood tall for his young family while still managing his budding legal career. He was sustained by his undying faith and a few guardian angels, for whom he was forever grateful.
Everything changed a few years later when he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Kotcher. They were married on June 21, 1969, at St. Paul's in Grosse Pointe and embarked on a life together filled with faith, love, family, friends, laughter, and devotion. They were blessed with two additional children which made their family complete. Dick was a devoted and loving father who was revered by his children. He was known as "Papa" to seventeen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Dick and Mary Ellen leave an enduring legacy of love and faith. They had the opportunity to travel the world together and created many adventures and memories, but what they treasured most was spending time with their entire extended family on the beaches of Boca Grande, Florida.
Dick spent his entire 42-year legal career at the Detroit law firm that eventually bore his name: Kerr, Russell & Weber. For the last 20 years of his career, he served as the firm's managing partner. He was an experienced and skilled litigator, with a focus on commercial and professional liability. He represented a broad variety of clients, including companies operating in the manufacturing, technology, and construction industries, along with medical, dental, and engineering professionals. He served as General Counsel to the Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Dental Association for many years. Dick authored numerous articles in legal publications and was instrumental in drafting several of the medical tort laws in Michigan that remain today. He also took great pride representing the Michigan Catholic Conference for decades.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Ellen Weber; his five children: Stephanie Walbridge (Jay), Rich Weber (Mary), Craig Weber (Sue), Katie Walther (Pete), and Mike Weber (Kristen); his dear sister, Susan Chrysler (Bob); his sisters-in-law: Mary Weber, Dorothy Wasinger (Steve), Ann Carolan (Terry), and Deanna Maher; his brother-in-law, Chuck Kotcher;seventeen grandchildren: Joe Walbridge, Sarah Naylor, Jake Walbridge, Elizabeth Weber, Margaret Barbier, Caroline Weber, Annie Walbridge Riccio, Kurt Weber, Janie Weber, John Paul Weber, Grace Walther, Charlie Weber, Megan Walther, Allyson Weber, Mac Walther, Chloe Weber, and Tess Weber; and one great-grandchild, Charlotte Walbridge. In addition to his first wife, Donna Maher Weber, he was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ramona Weber, and his brothers, Jack and Paul Weber.
Funeral mass Monday, June 30, 11:00 am at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Visitation at church begins 10am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gigi's Playhouse Detroit, gigisplayhouse.org/detroit