Richard Fiet

Through the way he lived his life, it was easy to see the heartfelt commitment that Richard Fiet had to his family, his friends, and the communities he called home. He was a successful businessman who accomplished much of which to be proud, yet he was humble and filled with a spirit of generosity that extended far beyond his reach. Blessed to spend more than 30 years with the love of his life, Dick truly cherished each and every day of his life. Social, outgoing, and the heartbeat of wherever he went, his zest for life was contagious. The memories Dick leaves behind will be priceless treasures for years to come. The 1920s were a time to remember in the American landscape. With more affordable cars, roads were being constructed everywhere while Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took America soaring above the clouds. Radios became our main source for news and entertainment, and motion pictures became available in both color and sound. Amidst this exciting time there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, as they welcomed a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on January 28th. Richard Johnson was the only child born to his parents, Dick and Selma (Johnson) Fiet. His father owned and operated Parsons Department Store in Muskegon Heights while his mother was a busy homemaker. Dick, as he was usually known, was a student at Muskegon Public Schools and was a paperboy for the Muskegon Chronicle. From an early age Dick was a talented athlete. He excelled in both basketball and tennis from a young age. While at Muskegon High School he and his partner, Dennis Closz, were the state tennis doubles champions, and Dick was also a member of the varsity basketball team. After graduating from high school in 1943, he went on to attend Muskegon Junior College where he was on the 1944 junior college state championship basketball team. In 1944, Dick joined the United States Army Air Corps, becoming a navigator on B-26 bombers during the days of WWII. While in the military, he flew 26 missions over Europe. After the war Dick remained in the Air Force Reserves, eventually retiring as a Lt. Colonel. While in the military he married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Freye. After returning stateside, Dick and his new bride settled in Muskegon where Dick returned to Muskegon Junior College. He was on the 1947 junior college state championship basketball team. Together Dick and Mildred were blessed with two daughters, Barb and Michele. He went to work with his father at Parsons Department Store. Dick became an active part of his community, serving as the president of the Muskegon Heights Chamber of Commerce. He was also the first retailer to have a sidewalk sale in the Muskegon area. As someone who was community minded, Dick was instrumental in getting drivers education added to the high school curriculum. His marriage to Mildred ended in the mid-fifties. New and exciting changes were in store for Dick when he met and later married Dottie Bolema. Through that union he became the father of two sons, Jim in 1958 and Thom in 1959. During this time Dicks business also expanded to include a department store in Whitehall. His marriage to Dottie ended in the early 1970s. Life was forever changed for Dick when he met the love of his life at a restaurant while hunting in the Baldwin area. Sparks flew right from the start, and they were married on March 14, 1974, deeply in love. They settled in Whitehall and became very active in the community together. Millie came alongside Dick in running the store, and they later owned and operated the White Sands Restaurant, one of Whitehalls hot spots. They eventually built a home with a beautiful view of White Lake located on South Shore Drive. As he had been in Muskegon, Dick became active in the Whitehall community as a member of the rotary club and the chamber of commerce. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the Old Newsboys and a founding member of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame. Millie was just as social and outgoing as Dick was, and together they loved to entertain. They also regularly traveled together with a trip to Hawaii and several cruises being among their numerous destinations. Always one to be busy, Dick was involved in many things. He continued to be active in sports throughout his life. Dick loved bowling and once brought Phyllis Diller to Muskegon to entertain for a large bowling tournament. Dick was also an avid golfer who aspired to shoot his age. He was a longtime member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church where he was a member of the consistory for a time. Dick was a tireless supporter of area veterans and helped in the rejuvenation of the Causeway Veterans Park. Additionally, Dick was on the board of the White Lake Senior Center and spent countless hours in his workshop making wooden gifts for his friends. During their sunset years, Dick and Millie moved into senior housing in Whitehall. He was deeply saddened with Millies death in 2011 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dick remained on his own and stayed as active as he could. He continued to regularly play golf and participate at church and his clubs. Dicks health began rapidly declining this past August, and he was unable to overcome the demand of his various health challenges. With unending love for his family and friends, Richard Fiet was a blessing to those around him. He had an insatiable thirst for life, which was easy to see, and his fun-loving personality was an inspiration to all who knew him. Dick leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow him. Richard J. Fiet died on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Dicks family includes his sons, Rev. Thom (Maria) Fiet of NY, James (Angie) Fiet of FL; daughters, Michele (Robert) Severance of Spring Lake, and Barbara (Gary) Curtis of Las Vegas; step daughter, Sandra Hopkins of Whitehall; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, in 2011 and step daughter, Janice Liebler. Services will he held on Saturday, November 16, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Dicks family and friends on Friday, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home-Muskegon. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Laketon Bethel Memorial Fund or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.