Richard D. Orlowski

Richard D. Orlowski of Caro, age 88, passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at McLaren Flint Hospital. Dick was born November 30, 1932 in Cass City, the son of the late Walter & Frances (Puszczyk) Orlowski. He grew up on the family farm in Cass City and graduated from high school there with the class of 1951. Shortly after graduation, Dick took a position as a chemist with Michigan Sugar before being drafted in the U.S. Army in 1955. While in the service, he was stationed at the Nike Missile Base in Commerce until his honorable discharge in 1957. On July 14, 1956, Dick was united in marriage with Marilyn Bowron in Cass City and the couple recently celebrated their sixty-fifth anniversary. Dick worked for over thirty-five years with the Michigan Department of Transportation as an assistant to the engineer and traveled extensively to oversee road and bridge construction projects. He retired in 1994 so he could focus on his true passion, fishing. It was on the water that he was able to find peace. He was an outdoorsman at heart and enjoyed his childhood on the farm and hunting in those early years. Dick was wise in an array of subjects and was a mentor to many. He enjoyed dancing with his beloved Marilyn and worked many tireless evenings building their home in Caro. More than anything, Dick was a family man whose world centered around his wife, children, and grandchildren. Left to cherish Dick's memory are his wife, Marilyn of Caro; three daughters and their spouses, Debra & Richard Bouchard of Hudsonville, Lana Gault and Anthony Carollo of Sterling Heights, Lynn & Matt Jensen of Canton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Brooke & Joshua Tudor of East Lansing, Katherine & Rick Ammeraal of Hudsonville, Whitney Prince and her fianc, Brian Russell, of Zeeland, Carly Gault of Sterling Heights, Drew Jensen of Canton, Ryan Jensen of Canton; six great-grandchildren, Graham, Evelyn, and Lilian Tudor, Tinley and Noah Ammeraal, and Oliver Prince; one sister, Geraldine Glaspie of Cass City; one brother-in-law, Jerry Bowron; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by one son, Rick Orlowski in 1996; seven siblings, Dorothy Aldrich, Gertrude Nieman, Walter, Edward, Harry, Chester, and James Orlowski; and a brother-in-law, Wilford Bowron. In keeping with Dick's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Michele Hile officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids. Visitation Information Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021 Time: 9:00 am End Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021 Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map In keeping with Dick's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Michele Hile officiating.