Richard Paul Koller, age 79, died peacefully on February 28th, 2023. He is survived by his children, who loved him dearly, Katherine & John Eago, Wendy & John Campbell; and his grandkids John (Jack) and William.
Besides his children, he is survived by his brother David and his sister Susan with nephews Paul and Mike. He is also survived by Sophie, the aggressive cat, who has become slightly more likable in her years.
He will be joining his beloved wife of over 50 years, Patricia, who misses him as heaven couldn’t be as beautiful without him; and she probably needs his kind skills to smooth over something she said.
Dick was a graduate from Grosse Pointe South. After graduating, he went into the Navy where he met Patt while singing sea shanties. He then broke the Koller chain of 4 generations of Tool and Die makers to work as a Technician with AT&T. There, his caring spirit and social skills were put to good use as a Training and Development Manager before he retired to become a YouTuber with his grandson, William.
Dick loved sailing and was racing competitively to Mackinac from the time he was 16. He loved spending time on boats, traveling to rendezvous and fishing with his family. He was active in both the GP Sail Club and GP Boat Club. He was the Commodore of the GPBC in 1988. He achieved Old Goat Status from Bayview Yacht Club for sailing over 25 Mackinac races. The love of boating was passed down to his grandsons.
Viewings will be held at Peter’s Funeral Home on Monday, March 6th from 2 to 6 p.m. with Military Honors at 6 and an afterglow to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in his honor to Full Circle or the Salvation Army because neither accepts donated cats.
