Richard Lloyd Hurford

Dick was one of five children born to Jackson Hurford and Janet Hurford (nee Potter). Seven years after Dick was born in Royal Oak, Michigan (and one year after Dick’s younger brother, Jim, was born), Jackson died suddenly and tragically.

Dick delivered newspapers and carried golf clubs to help support the family from a young age. He attended U of D Jesuit High School, graduating in 1969. The Evans Scholars Foundation blessed Dick with a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan.

Dick was brilliant. He was an expert conversationalist. And he was the most respectful, caring, considerate, fair, and reasonable person you may have been lucky enough to know.

Dick was tough. He fought for every inch. Dick suffered no bullies and, in the most respectful way possible, would dispatch anyone that offended his sense of what was fair, reasonable, just, and right.

During his college summers, Dick worked in hospitals as a surgical technician and met the love of his life, Judi Hurford, while working at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Pontiac during the summer of 1973. (Dick and Judi celebrated their 52nd anniversary this year.)

One of the best words he used to describe himself was “curious.” He was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader.

Dick was passionate about U.S. History and became fixated on the impact of the Supreme Court justices. His first thought was to teach. He went to Oakland University to pursue a doctorate. After one-and-a-half painful years of teaching (painful for both the students and Dick), he decided to forego a PhD and pursue law school. He never looked back.

He attended University of Detroit Law School and joined the law firm of Dykema Gossett. He would later become Director of Litigation for Masco Corporation (where he acquired an executive MBA) and a Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. Dick eventually opened his own alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice.

As a litigator, Dick was an incredible trial attorney and a fierce advocate. His son considers the tales of dad’s trial antics to be those of legend.

But after Dick left the litigation trenches and moved in-house to manage litigation, as a testament to his curiosity and devotion to continuous learning, he reinvented himself by transitioning from an aggressive adversary in litigation to a trailblazing in-house counsel. Dick persuaded an entire corporation to change its philosophy and commit to ADR for settling both internal and external controversies.

In addition to his work, Dick was a prolific writer and speaker for lawyers and judges on the subject of ADR. The comprehensive ADR book he inspired, co-authored and co-edited will be published posthumously. Dick served in numerous leadership positions in the legal and ADR communities. He is in the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame and has received multiple distinguished service awards, including from the State Bar of Michigan ADR Section.

Recently, Dick had scaled back his ADR work in order to spend more time with his son Patrick in his law practice. Dick often said that he thoroughly enjoyed another career change if it involved working with his son. Dick left behind a lasting legacy wherever his path went. He will be missed but not forgotten in law.

Dick’s love of community was most evident through his service. He was a GPF little league manager for years, actively involved in St. Paul’s Church and athletic department, devoted to U of D Jesuit High School, and involved in Detroit organizations set up to help children that grew up without a father like he did.

Dick’s personality and sense of humor cannot be replaced. Dick had a doctorate in sarcasm, a disarming quick wit, a love of storytelling, a real and true interest in whomever he was talking to, and a degree of generosity and humility that is remarkably absent from our world today.

Predeceased by Jackson Shields Hurford (father), Janet Hurford (mother), Jackson Hurford (brother), Nancy Angeles (sister), and Patricia Nickol (sister).

Dick is survived by his wife Judith Carol Hurford, his son Patrick John Hurford, three grandchildren, Ethan Joseph Hurford, Alexander Charles Hurford and Erin Lucille Hurford, and his brother Jim Hurford.

Services for Dick will be held will be held at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan on September 30, 2026. Visitation 9:30 a.m. Funeral 10:00am.

In lieu of any flowers, please consider donating to the University of Detroit Jesuit High School [https://www.uofdjesuit.org/giving/ways-to-give/give-online] or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) [https://www.nationalmssociety.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/mail-or-phone].