Richard "Dick" Collinson Arnold

He is survived by his wife Joan (Wilcox), to whom he was a devoted and loving husband for over 65 years. He was a very passionate father to his five children, and very much respected by them. Surviving are his children Jeff (Sandy) Arnold of Jackson, MI; Rick (Shelly) Arnold of Holland, MI; Sue (Jeff) Huyck of Grand Rapids, MI; Jane (John) Klapko of Escanaba, MI; and Linda (John) Randle of Rodney, MI. Dick was a loving grandfather to his 13 grandchildren: Kaitlyn Arnold, Collin Arnold, Lauren (Gerrit) Hengeveld, Dana Arnold, Robert Arnold, Faith Huyck, Brianna (Dan) Krauss, Elizabeth (Ben) Post, Allison Huyck, Jessica Klapko, Jacob Klapko, Ben Randle, and Kyle Randle; great-grandchildren: Ivan Hengeveld, Abraham Hengeveld, James Post, and Eli Lee.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Jessie Arnold of Portland, MI; sisters Colleen Sandborn, of Portland, MI, and Donna Weaver of Dansville, MI.

Dick worked at Wolverine Power Supply for 35 years as a Superintendent of Power Generation. He was later promoted to manager of 10 generation plants in the northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan, including the generation plant on Beaver Island. He also was a part-time beekeeper for many years in West Michigan, supporting the fruit farmers’ crop in pollination.

Dick was a lifetime member of the Portland Masonic Lodge. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Saladin Shriners of Grand Rapids. Dick was very active in the Lakeland Shrine Club of Big Rapids, Royal Order of Jesters, and El Hajj. He was also a lifetime member of the Big Rapids Eagles. He was also a member of the Big Rapids Elks.

Dick had a lifetime full of achievements and interests: In 1949, he was a high school all-state football and basketball player which led him to receive a football scholarship to MSU. He was a 2003 inaugural inductee of Portland High School's Athletic Hall of Fame. He has donated over 50 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time at the Silverbrook Hunting Club where he was a member for over 50 years. Dick liked to tend a very large vegetable garden every year, and he and his wife, Joan, would can, freeze, and store their "labor of love" and share with all.

Relatives and friends may meet Dick’s family from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Clark Retirement Home (Chapel), 1551 Franklin St., S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14 at Clark Retirement Home (Chapel). A luncheon will follow the service at Clark.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dick’s favorite charity: Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Special thanks to Emmanuel Hospice and Clark Skilled and Assisted Living Nursing for their loving care and support.

Dick’s family welcomes memories and messages in their online guestbook at www.cookcares.com.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/JWCKFFK588ZD3BZH