Notre Dame College would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dick's family and friends on his passing. Below is Dick's life story as it appears on Lifestory.net.

Richard (Dick) Walsh
Notre Dame Hound Class of 1947

A man who was a true Irishman through and through, Richard Walsh was a man who was hard to miss whether it was because of his infectious sense of humor, his spirit of vitality, or his sometimes 'loud' clothes. The only thing that made him happier than soaring above the clouds in an airplane was spending time with the family he treasured. Dick worked tirelessly throughout his life, yet he took full advantage of every opportunity to enjoy life. He was a true character who greatly impacted the lives of those around him, leaving his friends and family with countless memories they will forever cherish.

The year 1929 was an eventful one. The Great Depression began to cripple the economy around the world. It was in this same year that Richard and Loretta (Edwards) Walsh celebrated the birth of their son, Richard, on Saturday, July 12th. Richard, who often went by Dick, was born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan, Canada, as the second of four children in his family, which included siblings Leo, Eileen, and Frank. Dick left home when he was around 12 years old when his family was moved to Ontario, and he wanted to remain in Saskatchewan.

He attended school at Notre Dame of Canada in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, and graduated in 1947. Notre Dame of Canada shaped his life. He truly loved the school and its people. He attempted to have his 3 sons attend the school in middle of nowhere Saskatchewan. His youngest son Richard, graduated from Notre Dame of Canada, his son Daniel schooled there but graduated from Otsego High School.

Dick continued his education at Assumption College in Windsor, graduating in 1950. After one year of law school at Detroit College of Law, Dick took the offer of the U.S government permitting him to be a U.S. citizen upon 2 years of military service. He enlisted and served as part of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean Conflict. In the service he became a surveyor. But, he loved jumping out of airplanes. He marveled that he got extra pay to do it. He fulfilled his duty, serving from 1950 through 1952 and thereafter, in the reserves.

During his army stint, Dick was stationed at Fort Drum, New York. He met the young girl who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Virginia Piazza. They met at a USO dance. She was an Italian girl from Watertown, New York. There was an immediate attraction between Dick (age 23) and Virginia (age 21) that neither could deny. When they met she was engaged to another man. After dating for a short time, the couple was married on November 28, 1953, in her hometown of Watertown.

With little financial resources, they settled in Detroit, Michigan, where Dick began working for Household Finance Company. Dick and Virginia started a family right away. Apparently, there was a little 'competition' between he and his brother Frank as to who would have the first grandchild for their parents. Virginia often joked that they were so poor that they could not afford toys for the kids (Linda and Pat) so, the kids played with the cockroaches instead!

Dick and Virginia were blessed with five children: Linda, Pat, Diana, Daniel and Richard.

Dick was a supportive father who was very involved with his children’s athletic endeavors. He attended the sporting events no matter what state or country. He coached hockey for the youngest, Richard, when he was over 50 years old.

Dick was most known for was his strong work ethic. He attended Detroit College of Law and earned his degree while working full-time at the finance company with two young children. In 1959, Household Finance moved him to Chesterfield, Indiana, where his daughter Diana (nee, Diane) was born.

From there, the family moved back to Dearborn Heights with another Household Finance transfer. Dick opened his first law office a couple blocks from their home in Dearborn Heights located above a party store on Van Born.

The family then moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1962. Dick and Virginia believed Kalamazoo would be a great place to raise their children. Dick got a job with a local attorney doing collection work. Thereafter, he worked as an assistant city attorney for the City of Portage with an office in the Kalamazoo Building. His practice moved from there to the Hanselman Building across the street and, then to what was the ISB building. He was proud to boast that he and his partners were all Catholics and they were the only all catholic law firm in town.

In 1973, Dick and Virginia purchased the building at the corner of Cedar and Rose Streets. He retired in 1998 when his son purchased the business, although according to Dick, he still worked. He wintered in Florida and during the summers, his work schedule consisted of breakfast with the boys, checking his office messages, coffee with anther group of guys, checking messages again, then lunch, if it was a nice day he’d play golf.

He loved playing golf. But, his true passion was flying. Dick was a licensed pilot who had both his instrument and aerobatic licenses. He flew the family to various vacation destinations.

He loved hockey. He had season tickets for the Kalamazoo Wings from the time they began. Dick also had connections with many hockey professionals from his alma mater, Notre Dame of Canada.

Dick spent time with his beloved wife, Virginia. They often vacationed without (away from) the children. They enjoyed going to either the Florida Gulf Coast Keys or Brownsville, Texas. Usually they flew a four-seater plane with another couple. He suffered the first of six heart attacks at age 48. As a result, he could not be licensed to fly. After a number of years, he would be able to get his license back. Within 6 months of that date he suffered another heart attack and, piloted no more.

After retirement Dick and Virginia had a condo in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. They sold that and bought a new condo on Daytona Beach. When Virginia began suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, they moved back to Kalamazoo so that Virginia would feel more at home.

Even though, he would generally work between 60 and 80 hours per week, he believed in giving his time and money to many charitable organizations. He was involved with the Jaycees, Kalamazoo AMBUCS, and the Elks BPOE #50. In his later years, Dick enjoyed reading just about anything. He was partial to fictional works about lawyers, and he also read a lot of historical books.

In many ways, Richard Walsh was truly one-of-a-kind. He worked hard throughout his life and had a diverse career path, too. As a young man living on his own since age 12 he shoveled coal at Notre Dame for tuition, room and board. He was a trapper and sold the pelts. He worked at Banff Resort as a porter for a summer. He worked as an usher in a theater.

He was the eternal optimist who was Irish in every way. He was very lucky even won a trip through Kroger Bingo to anywhere he wanted to go, so he and Virginia picked Hong-Kong, China (he kept telling her they were going to win!). Most recently, last season, he won the drawing of season ticket holders to be an assistan coach for a game, an Irishman through and through.

Dick leaves behind principles that are so simple, yet so hard to master including a strong work ethic, diligence, and a belief in making the most of every day. As his family and friends now say goodbye, they will be forever grateful for the many moments they were given to share with such a remarkable man. Dick will be dearly missed.

Richard C. Walsh died Tuesday, February 23, 2010 in Kalamazoo. Dick’s family includes his wife, Virginia Walsh, 4 children: Linda (Al) Ikeda, Pat Walsh, Diana (Gary) Christopher and Daniel Walsh; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 2 siblings: Eileen Steele and Frank (Geraldine) Walsh and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by a son Richard S. Walsh, and a brother, Leo Walsh. A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., St. Augustine Cathedral. A luncheon will follow at the Blue Dolphin. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory, sign his memory book, or make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo, 375-2900.

www.lifestorynet.com/memories/56465/