What better way to honor Dick on this 2-year anniversary of his passing than to remember him not only as a great friend but also as a very skilled player and wonderful teammate on our 35 and older hockey team, Schneiders Sport Shop.  Most of our games did not end until after midnight but we still managed to quench our thirsts after hard fought games at the closest tavern...................WOW, talk about good times!!!!

We ALL had just a wonderful visit, back in October of 2020.  WE MISS YOU RTP!

I miss our hockey games my friend . . .   

I love you Dick and I will miss you. Your sister,  Diane. 

I knew Dick  before I started working for the Dearborn Recreation Department through my father Harvey and my brother Larry.
RTP was a very nice person. I believe he took great pride in performing his duties as Dearborn’s Sports Supervisor throughout his career.
My sincere condolences to his family and to his many friends.


A postscript note that Larry and I forgot to reference: Dick had received a Special Award at the 2017 Dearborn Hall of Fame Ceremony for leadership, to include a wide-ranging list of his personal contributions in Dearborn sports and recreation.  During Dick’s career, the Dearborn Rec. Dept. earned a reputation of excellence in the state; a great city for kids (Larry and I) to participate in sports.  

Dick Paperd,  A Man For All Seasons.......and Sports!  Dick and I go back almost 50 years, from the origins of Sunday Morning Hockey.  What a time that was!  You could hardly wait for those great crisp Winter Sunday mornings to see how many(few)lovers of outdoor hockey on snow covered and bumpy ice would show up.  Dick NEVER missed!!!  My very good friend RTP, as he was known, at the Dearborn Rec Dept,  was very highly regarded within our state's many Recreation Dept's for his knowledge of  of competitive athletics for both youths and adults and the good judgement and integrity that he displayed while serving on many governing committees and boards.  Dick was not a spectator but an active participant.  He was very good at everything, even golf!  Dick was the last of our group to take up it up and within a short time, became hooked and quite adept.  We hit it off,  right from the start, as fellow "Recreators",  RTP in Dearborn and me in Roseville.  We attended many a Rec meeting that ended up on the golf course, tennis court or ice rink.  There was never a angry word between us, only GOOD TIMES and VERY FOND MEMORIES!  (PHOTO, Sunday Morning Hockey, early 1970's)

We may remember what people said, or what they did.  But we always remember how they made us feel. Dick made us feel good. I remember Dick as  positive, kind, considerate and always willing to help [especially with his hack partner Ray on the golf course]. Add to that a deep humility and you have a very good human being. I miss you Dick but your memory makes me feel good.

In addition to being a kind and compassionate gentleman with a friendly spirit, Dick was also a fine athlete in all sports.  I had the pleasure to be his hockey line-mate and tennis partner when he was in his 30s.  An enjoyable teammate and modest competitor, Dick was high scorer in the hockey league and was not shy about taking a hit in the corners.  A great admirer of Gordie Howe, I believe Dick could have secured a minor league contract if he ever wanted to go in that direction.  Dearborn’s recreation teams always enjoyed seeing Dick’s smiling face at championship events, especially since it was his job as Sports Supervisor to hand out the awards.  I feel grateful to have his genuine friendship and I still think fondly about meeting him at Zubok’s in Dearborn on Wednesdays for their spaghetti dinner specials.  Such friends are hard to find.   

A very dear friend, who upon leaving this earthly place, will leave an empty space in the lives of those fortunate enough to have known him . . . 

Dick was a great friend and mentor to me in regards to my initial professional career in Parks and Recreation as well as helping me in the leisure activity of officiating.  We did many baseball and basketball games together and he invited me to join his football crew as I began that sport endeavor.  Patience and knowledge was always a great trait of his and of course rounds of golf were never enjoyed more than when you were paired with him or even better when you played against him.  When he did something it was with a true passion but he was always a kind gentleman and a pleasure to be around.  I'll be forever grateful we crossed paths.

OBITUARY

Richard T. Paperd

December 7, 1941 – December 23, 2020

Kaul Funeral Home

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