S. Richard “Dick” Pearse
S. Richard “Dick” Pearse, 92, of Lansing, MI, passed away Monday, August 28, 2017, at Grandhaven Living Center, surrounded by the love of his family. He left us the way he lived — peacefully, full of love and looking only for silver linings. He longed for his reunion with his wife, Kaye, the love of his life.
Richard was the founder and former owner of Pearse Realty in Battle Creek. He was born Nov. 5, 1924, in Lansing, the only child of Stanley and Carlah Pearse. He bought his first car, a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster when he was 14 for $12 – a preview of coming attractions. He volunteered for the US Air Corps in 1943, first as a pilot, then as an intelligence specialist in Italy. After the military, he re-enrolled at Michigan State College in business. He owned and operated Dick Pearse Cleaners in Lansing, worked as general sales manager for Dean and Harris Ford in Lansing, then bought his own car dealership, Dick Pearse Ford, in Alma. He served for a time on the Ford Dealer Council, representing Ford dealerships nationwide. In the early 1970s, he founded Pearse Realty, the start of a long career in real estate. He and his first wife, Joy Cadwell, had three children — Jan, Richard and Hope. He later married Kaye Christensen, a girl he remembered in high school. “She was pretty then; when she grew up she was beautiful,” he recalled.
Richard is survived by his children, Jan (Chuck) Horsley, Richard Pearse, and Hope (Ken) Kolker; stepchildren, Daniel (Jill) Richardson, Jane (Randy) Miller, Jim (Trish) Richardson, and Julie (Jamal) Deeb; grandchildren: Justin Horsley, Jessica and Kevin Rogers, Sarah, Daniel and Dana Kolker, Sophia Pearse, Marc Richardson, Tracy (Chad) Urbain, Nicole and Ryan Deeb; and great-grandchildren, Josephine Rogers and Van Urbain.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. The Rite of Committal will take place in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. His family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
10 Messages to “S. Richard “Dick” Pearse”
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Richard C. Fairchild
August 30, 2017 at 9:51 amRest in peace, Dick. You were always a gentle gentlemen, and you always made us all smile. We will miss you. There are simply not enough of your kind in the world.
Linda Tuttle
August 30, 2017 at 6:10 pmEven though I only met you once, I know that you raised some very wonderful and loving children. From all accounts, you helped to make the world a better place by being in it!
Jennifer Rose
August 30, 2017 at 6:37 pmHope, sounds like he lived a full life. Hold your memories close to your heart and he will always be a part of you. God Bless you all during this sad time, but celebrate his life and know he is going Home. Hugs, Jennifer Rose
Ken Kolker
August 30, 2017 at 8:24 pmMy father-in-law was an amazing man. Even in his final days, he found a way to make you smile. He had the most positive outlook on life that I’ve ever seen and made friends wherever he went. It didn’t take long for waitresses at restaurants to fall in love with Dick. As long as they remembered his “dump” cup for coffee. He would beckon them, “oh nurse.” They loved that. He loved his wife, Kaye, who died just a couple years ago at the Grandhaven home. He was there every day, a few times a day, with her. That’s where he went to spend his last few weeks. The perfect love story. The nursing staff knew what kind of man he was; they treated him like the king he was.
Jill Richardson
August 31, 2017 at 9:50 amBeautifully written, Ken. Everything said here is beyond true. We learned about life, ie, gratitude for it’s blessings and lessons from it’s sorrows, from Dick. Ill miss him so.
Regan LaMothe
August 30, 2017 at 11:57 pmI always heard what a gentleman Dick was in Battle Creek. No matter who you talked to, Dick was one of those “Greatest Generation” men who people spoke of with great respect, AND friendship and warmth. My experience growing up in an environment rich with such folks made a huge impact on me. Eternal rest grant to him O Lord. And may perpetual light shine upon him.
Scott and Lynda Miller
August 31, 2017 at 7:16 pmRichard was a gentleman to be sure. More so, he was a genteel man. He was a salesperson extraordinaire as well. Also, Dick was the sharpest dressed man that we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We lost two great Spartans this week. I believe that they are sipping martini’s and talking B ball in a better place.
Rest well Sir….
Scott and Lynda Miller
Sadly we will not be able to attend Dick’s service but we will be with you in Spartan spirit.
Mike, Joanne and Michael Bennett
September 1, 2017 at 1:24 pmDick was kind, sweet, friendly man. He always had a smile and a warm hug and hand shake. Rest in peace Dick, heaven gained another wonderful angel!
Jim Richardson
September 6, 2017 at 10:23 am“Daddy Dick”, as he and I referred to him as, was an amazing human being and stepfather. His generosity and friendliness were beyond compare. He provided my mother with a life she loved right up until the very end of her life for which I will be forever thankful. Dick is my model for how a husband should be a husband. Rest in peace Dick, you’ve earned your wings!
Trish Richardson
September 6, 2017 at 10:51 amDick was one of the best examples of devoted husband, loving father and cherished friend. Another great one has passed.