After graduation from Lansing Central High School, Richard attended Michigan State College (now University) where he was yearbook editor, played on the tennis team, and majored in history, graduating with a B.A. (1935). At the University of Michigan he received his M.A. (1939) and phD. (1948).

In January of 1940, Richard married Louise Sprau, and moved to Mt. Morris, where Richard taught and subsequently was principal at the local high school. Richard and Louise had two children, daughter Dorothy and son Richard F. Jr. ("Sandy"). The family moved to Marquette in 1949, where Richard began teaching at Northern Michigan College (now University) until his retirement in 1975.

During his tenure at NMU, Richard served on the faculty senate, chaired the history department, and organized a Vital Issues Conference held "to promote unity and effective leadership" in 1952.

Always active in civic affairs, Richard was a member of the Marquette Historical Society, served on the Marquette Public School Board and on the board of the Upper Peninsula Child Guidance Clinic (a forerunner of the Alger-Marquette Community Mental Health Center). He was also a trustee of the Historical Society of Michigan (1949-52) and its vicepresident (1951-52).

Richard and Louise were worldwide travelers, sometimes as chaperones for student groups, and hosted a Swedish exchange student, Ake Ryhagen through Rotary International. As a member of the Marquette Rotary, one of Richard's contributions was to write a published history of the chapter.

In retirement, Richard and Louise remodeled the family's summer cottage in Alden, and became residents there in 1991. Richard continued to enjoy tennis and was an avid reader and follower of politics. Although no longer in a formal classroom, Richard continued to be a great "teacher" of tennis, playing catch, reading, the correct method of ice-cream-cone eating and whenever there was a "teachable moment." He and Louise were lifelong members of the Three Lakes Association and involved in environmental and township issues.

Louis preceded Richard in death in September of 2006. He is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by their children Dorothy (Bob) Clore, of Alden, and Sand (Laurie) O'Dell of Middleville; four grandchildren, David (Angela) Clore, Christopher (Maureen) Clore, Jean (Tony) Hermann, and Devin (Jolene) O'Dell; five great-grandchildren; special niece Lynn (Robert) Campbell and nephew Bill (Lilian) Mahan; cousins Fred (Debbie) O'Dell, William O'Dell and Robert (Rebecca) Logee, and Swedish "son" Ake Ryhagen (Suzanne Dufresne).

The family will hold a memorial gathering to celebrate Richard's life sometime during the spring or summer of 2008. Memorial contributions may be made either to the Three Lakes Association, PO Box 689, Bellaire, MI 49615 or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements made by Mortensen's Funeral Home, Bellaire.