Cover photo for Richard John Goldschmeding's Obituary
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1949 Richard 2021

Richard John Goldschmeding

March 3, 1949 — October 8, 2021

Portage

Richard John Goldschmeding, affectionately known as Dick, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend left the world on Friday, October 8th, 2021 to be with his Heavenly Father in eternal life. He was surrounded by his family and heartfelt prayers from all who offered them.

Dick was born in 1949 in Kalamazoo, MI to John and Dorothy (Van Tholen) Goldschmeding where he attended Portage Public Schools and terrorized neighborhoods across the town. Following his formative years of picking on his sister with his brothers, painting dogs, and starting bulldozers he moved onto high school days of football, baseball, work at the lumberyard, and snagging the heart of Barb Ryder, all while honing a work ethic that carried him through the rest of his time.

Dick and Barb married in 1969 and celebrated 52 years of marriage in May of 2021. A marriage that brought so much, to so many. They navigated a proud service in the Army leading into a fruitful career in the building materials industry and the growth of a family that will miss him dearly. The success of the people around him brought him the greatest joys of all he did in the industry. The customers and peers that became lifelong friends floated into those that remained important for him to ensure they made time for golf and fellowship. Following his retirement from the building materials business in 2009 he found so many ways to be active: golf, lawn mowing, his woodshop, his cottage, car washing, simple tinkering; all the while with the noise of Tigers, Lions, and University of Michigan announcers calling games in the background.

Schoolcraft became deeply embedded in the life of Dick as Barb and the family drew him into heavy action in support of all things Eagles. While Barb was coaching, he found himself immersed in the cheerleading competitions. While the boys were growing, he gave his time to not only coaching rocket football and little league baseball teams, but so much more in the running of the programs and singing in a men's choir The Singing Crusaders. Continuing through their high school years Dick again found himself running a booster program and on the sidelines or in the coach's box in support of Eagle football and baseball. He lived to support the boys in all their endeavors from school through careers and into the greatest joys of all - their families. In 2001 he opened his arms wide to welcome Amie into the family and then again in 2017 with the same warmth and inclusion of Rachael. And yet, nothing brought him joy more than the time he spent watching his grandchildren grow. Countless hours playing on the floor and snuggling in chairs with books led to countless more all with love of his grandchildren. He loved all his time watching softball, volleyball, football, and wrestling intermixed with trips to Minnesota and FaceTime moments of virtual Big Truck Rides from room to room and monster truck action all across the screen ending in knuckles and hugs. Although he couldn't work on the sidelines as part of the revered and beloved Chain Gang Crew during this football season he was there in his truck, with his binoculars watching cheering on his grandson and his Eagles.

Dick is preceded in death by his father John, mother Dorothy, and his brother Roger. He is survived and loved by his wife Barb, son Jon and daughter-in-law Amie (Decker), Josh and daughter-in-law Rachael (Nordgren), granddaughters Kelby and Allie, grandsons Caleb and Jack, brother Jim, sister Kathy, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and his most loyal companion Casey (a Miniature Schnauzer). We know that although Dick will be greatly missed, he is happy in the presence of the Lord.

The family wishes for anyone that wants to provide a memorial in Dick's name to provide it to the Schoolcraft Athletic Boosters. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

To order memorial trees in memory of Richard John Goldschmeding, please visit our tree store.

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