Richard spent his early childhood in Dayton, OH. Growing up, he and his brother Doug enjoyed a close bond. They often got into mischief together and frequently rode their bikes past Orville Wright's home just a few blocks away, to try and catch a glimpse of the man who made flight possible.
When the twins were 12, their parents, Stephen and Mildred (Grand) Mendell divorced. Dick and his siblings relocated to Scituate, MA with their mother and stepfather. A few years later, siblings Karen and Kit were born. In high school, Dick and Doug played on the football team, loved to bowl, and learned to sail. After high school, Dick and Doug both pursued a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Michigan State. They graduated in 1957. Dick continued his education and received a MBA. On February 15, 1958, Dick married his college sweetheart, Mary Ann Milner. Afterwards, the couple settled in Kalamazoo, MI. In 1961, Richard’s twin died tragically in a plane crash. Dick grieved the loss of Doug for the rest of his life.
Richard and Mary Ann went on to have 2 children, Doug and Mary Jane. He worked as an auditor for Upjohn in Kalamazoo, MI for 30 years, until his retirement in 1990. The family spent time every summer on Walloon Lake in Petoskey, MI. The family spent their days fishing, sailing, swimming, visiting with Dick’s father, and playing highly competitive games of Scrabble.
In April 2007, Dick's wife 49 years, Mary Ann, passed away. Afterwards, he moved to Texas to be near his daughter. He lived with her for 4 years before meeting and moving in with lady friend Carolyn. Dick spent the last several years of his life with her in Temple, TX. He passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at the Arbor House Memory Care Center. The family wishes to thank the staff there as well as Kindred Hospice for the kind care they gave him in his final week.
Richard is survived by daughter Mary Jane Mendell, son Doug (Sheila) Mendell, grandchildren Megan (Eric) Harrison and Weston Mendell, great-grandchildren Dexter and Isla, siblings Karen (Peter) Underwood, and Kit (Linda) Corson, along with 14 nieces and nephews, and his much beloved cousins Bill & Bob Mendell and their families.
Dick’s ashes will be interred next to his wife at her family’s plot in Midland, MI and a memorial service will be on Sept. 15, 2018 to celebrate with family and his lifelong friends.
Donations can be made in Richard's memory to the Walloon Lake Association, https://www.walloon.org/get-involved/donate-today/, the dementia related charity of your choice, or the National Center on Elder Abuse, https://ncea.acl.gov/whoweare/about.html.
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