Richard was born on January 15, 1940, in Richmond, Missouri, the son of Earnest and Mary (Hamacher) Bates. He graduated High School in Champaign, Illinois, class of 1957 where he met Julia Vance, and married his high school sweetheart on April 8, 1961, at Chapel in the Sky in Chicago. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Richard served in the Army during the Vietnam War, and was stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base, bringing he and Julia to Michigan where they raised their family in Rochester Hills.
Richard’s 34-year career at General Motors Pontiac Division was in personnel and labor relations, retiring in 1998. He was a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, North Macomb Sportsman’s Club, and more recent Hunter’s Creek Club.
Shooting sports were a passion of Richard’s that he shared with his family and community, volunteering to teach gun safety to youth, supporting 4-H, and competing in trap and skeet resulting with many awards. His generosity in sharing venison supported the Lapeer Veterans and filled the freezers of many friends.
Richard ran marathons, was ski-patrol at Alpine Valley with Julia, and volunteered at the Rochester Hills Public Library. His love for family was most important to him, planning family vacations, regular dinners at the Golden Eagle, and creating his summer camps called ‘Grandpa’s Tons of Fun’ for the grandchildren to spend summer days with him.
Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years, Julia Bates; children Deborah (Joel) Pace, Barbara Barber, and Brian (Monique) Bates; grandchildren Erin Pace, Claire Pace, Shelby (Austin) Langenstein, Darby Barber, and Benjamin Barber; brother Bradford (MaryAnn) Bates; and nephew Jim (Jamie) Bates.
All are invited to a celebration of Richard’s life to be held on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00-5:00pm with an open sharing of memories starting at 3:00pm at the family’s property, located at 1535 Mead Rd in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church - Youth Ministries at 620 Romeo Rd, Rochester, Michigan 48307 or Lapeer County Veterans' Services at 287 W Nepessing St #2nd, Lapeer, MI 48446.
