Richard was born to Beulah O’Keefe and Stewart Edgerton on January 14, 1928 in Center Line Michigan. He graduated from Saint Clement Catholic high school (Center Line) in 1946. A promising career playing baseball for the St. Louis Browns was cut short when he was drafted for military service in the Army during the Korean War in 1951–52.
In 1954, Richard married Annette Smith on October 23, 1954.
Richard worked for Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park, Michigan for 42 years as a cost analyst.
Richard was an avid sports enthusiast and loved playing softball up until his mid-80s. He and several different teams were Gold medalists in the World Series of Senior Softball.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Annette, his dear daughter Jane, parents Beulah and Stewart Edgerton, brother Vernon and sister Laura Agnes, his brother-in-law Patrick Smith. He is survived by his three remaining children, Thomas, Daniel (Janie) and Susan, and several nieces & nephews - Michael Edgerton, Mark Edgerton, Marie Edgerton, Mary Jo Edgerton, David LaDuke, Victor (Joanne) LaDuke & Mary Beth (Dick) Lorenz, Michael (Janet), Mark (Maryann), Marie (Mark) Schulte.
Robert is survived by his sister-in-law Claire (Edwin) LaDuke.
Richard was a devout Roman Catholic and was a founding member of St. Dennis Catholic Church in Royal Oak, Michigan.
The family will greet friends at Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home 30351 Dequindre Road Madison Heights, Michigan 48071 on Friday, February 26th from 3PM until 7PM with the rosary at 7PM.
Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, February 27 at St. Vincent Ferrer at 11:00am 28253 Herbert Street Madison Heights, MI. 48071
Burial Monday March 1, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at St. Clement Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen or the American Red Cross.
