Richard A. Wagar, formerly of Elk Rapids passed away on December 21, 2017. He was born on July 7, 1926 to Gordon and Violet Wagar in Detroit, MI. Richard, his sister Aileen and parents spent summers at their cottage in Canada on Lake Erie. At 16, he built his first kayak – which he continued to use throughout his life time. Richard attended Cooley High School, he was on the boxing team. He continued boxing when he was a proud serviceman of the US Army Airforce. “I never lost a fight.” In 1948 he married Nedra K. McConnell. They enjoyed an active social life, loved dancing and won 12 twist dancing contests. Richard was an engineer and salesman before he became a High School Math teacher for 30 years. He attended 6 colleges and earned 2 Masters Degrees in Mathematics. He received 2 National Science Foundation Awards during his career Richard was extremely active his entire life; kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, fishing, hunting, downhill and cross country skiing, golfing, bowling, snow shoeing, dog sledding. Also biking and hiking, usually with a beloved dog by his side. The Wagar family camped and traveled throughout the entire US, including driving the Alcan Highway to Alaska. In retirement -Richard and Nedra continued to take several trips throughout the country visiting many friends and family. They also took several Windjammer Cruises and traveled to Europe, New Zealand, Australia and one of their favorite trips, biking in Peru with their son Rich.
In 1986 Richard and Nedra moved to their retirement home on East Bay in Elk Rapids, MI. He was a volunteer on the Inland Seas Schoolship teaching navigation for 10 years. He loved his before breakfast swims in East Bay; as early as mid-March into mid-November. Richard enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors and all his activities with his grandsons; Jeremy and Jordan Jacobi.
He is survived by his loving wife Nedra Wagar of Traverse City, Son Richard H. Wagar of Aspen, CO. Daughter Cyndi and Dick Jacobi of Manistee, MI, Grandson Jordan Jacobi and his family Ashleigh, Hailey and Hunter of Cadillac, MI Nephew Mike (Shelia) Banghart of Austin, TX. Special friends The Wm Bartlett Family.
He was preceded in death by grandson Jeremy Jacobi, sister Aileen Carpenter, parents Violet and Gordon Wagar.
Visitation will take place at Covell Funeral Home of Elk Rapids, MI on Thurs Jan 4 from 1 pm until the service which begins at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Dementia Society of America
PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901
Richard's grandson Jordan will be doing a Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics in Richards memory. donations can be made at
https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jordan-jacobi/manistee2018
If you'd like to contact Nedra, she can be reached by phone at 231-264-9830 or email at [email protected]
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