James Richard "Rich" Atwood

He was born on June 8, 1948, in Ashland, Illinois, to Joseph Harold Atwood and Amelia (Hardin) Atwood. He was the beloved husband of Colleen (O’Brien) Atwood for 43 years.

Richard was employed at Fiat- Allis for 15 years and became President of UAW Local 1027 in Springfield, IL, until 1985. At that time, he was appointed to the Agricultural Department of the UAW International Union at the Solidarity House headquarters in Detroit, MI, where he went on to become administrative assistant to the Vice President. Rich, Colleen, and their children relocated to Brighton, Michigan, in 1987. After retiring from the UAW in 2010, he formed Atwood’s Outdoor Services, which he successfully ran for another 14 years.

His family and Catholic faith were everything to Rich; he was a much-loved husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a good friend and neighbor to many, always willing to lend a helping hand. Rich was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, golfing, farming, and was a tractor enthusiast.

Rich joins his son, Mark Atwood; parents, Harold & Amelia Atwood; and siblings, William Atwood, Barbara Jones, and Tom Atwood, in heaven.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Atwood; children, Kathryn Soto, Cynthia Hapke, Robin Richardson, Brian Atwood, and Elizabeth Atwood; 19 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dan Atwood, John Atwood, and Janet Helmich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, Brighton, MI.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday June 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence Ave., Springfield, with Rev. Pius Nwiyi officiating.

Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.