Richard A. " Ditchy" Harley Ii

Richard Harley was a young man with a passion for living life to its fullest, and to its fastest. He was a fearless man, never afraid to try new things, to learn, or to love. Richie was a loyal son, brother,uncle and friend to so many, and a gifted mechanic, who could fix anything. Most of all, Richie was a gift to us, a gift we will love and cherish forever. Richard's story began on a hot summer day in 1983, in the lakefront city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were trying times in this country, as the Cold War raged, the economy slumped, and there was little to celebrate for many Americans. Yet on July 25, 1983, a hot, sunny Sunday, Richard and Margo (Smith) Harley found reason for celebration, with the birth of a baby boy at Hackley Hospital, a son they named Richard A. Harley II. Baby Richard was a big boy, 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and 23 inches long. He joined his older brothers Ken and Keith in the family's Muskegon home at 1830 Hendrick Road. His father worked for C.W.C. Textron Corp. in Muskegon, while his mother worked at the Norton Shores Library, helping provide for the family. Richard's first family trip came when he was just a year and a half old, when the Harleys headed to Disney World. There were also many trips to Grandma and Grandpa Harley's home in Indiana, too. Richard attended Trinity Lutheran preschool, and then Churchill Elementary, where his third-grade friends nicknamed him "Richie-Ditch." His family would call him Richie, while he remained just Ditch to his friends. Richie was very close to his family as a kid, and throughout his life, and growing up he idolized his older brothers, and it was hard for him when they both went in the Marines in the early 1990s. Richie was active in many things as a young boy, from Cub Scouts, to Boy Scouts, to Odyssey of the Mind, where his inquisitive nature shone through. His Odyssey team even went to the state tournament three years in a row, coached by Margo and Liz VanAntwerpen. He was mechanically inclined even at an early age, and loved to take things apart, or work on his many train sets with his dad. His neighbor, Brad Anderson, also got him interested in remote-controlled cars, which he loved to race around the neighborhood, and fostered his lifelong love for fast cars. Richie also loved going camping with the family in their pop-up camper and being in the great outdoors. He was also athletic, and enjoyed playing baseball and indoor soccer, too. Being the fearless, headstrong little boy he was, he suffered his share of bumps growing up, from a concussion with a hammer, to a broken thumb on the slip-and-slide, many bike injuries, plenty of stitches, a broken nose from basketball ... the list goes on! Richie went to Mona Shores Middle School, where his friend Heidi Sunderhaft got him interested in set design for the school plays, painting the backdrops and working on the lighting. In 1998, he began attending Mona Shores High School, the same year the family moved to 3133 Haverhill Court in Muskegon. Richie loved playing tennis at Mona Shores, and his favorite class, not surprisingly, was wood shop. Richie found a love for fast cars in high school, and loud stereos, too. He was a big Metallica fan, the perfect band for him, loud and fast, who released their first album the day he was born! His Uncle Matt and Aunt Diana, who he loved going to Myrtle Beach with, once gave Richie a moped, which he of course modified to go much faster than it should! He took that moped everywhere he went, too. Richie also made many close friends growing up, including Ken, Ryan, "Ghezzi," Scotty V. and Victor. He was also friends with two sisters who were his neighbors, Sara and her little sister Kaitlyn. Richie had a crush on Sara, who was 10 years older than him, and Kaitlyn had a crush on Richie, who was four years older than her! It was their own little "puppy love" triangle! Richie was also very close to Jenny Bartels, taking her to Christmas dances and the Prom, as well as parties, movies and many more fun times together. Richie worked for his Uncle Matt at Smith Tire Co., since he was in the 9th grade, all through high school graduation in 2002. After he graduated, Richie went to the University of Northwestern Ohio, to receive his degree in high-performance engines. His dream was to one day work on race cars. After he graduated in 2005, he moved home to Muskegon, living with his mom, dad, grandma and grandpa in their new home at 5191 Chanick Street. He resumed working for his uncle Matt's tire business, doing brake work, engine repair, or whatever else needed doing. There wasn't much on a car Richie couldn't fix, of course, and he was a hardworking young man and great employee. Recently he went to work in the warehouse for Nichols Paper. Richie was far from all work and no play, however. He loved to hunt and fish, and got his first deer in 2006. He was very adventurous, too, and loved roller coasters, the higher and faster the better. He loved going four-wheeling with his friends at Silver Lake, tearing across the dunes as fast as he could. That was Richie, though. Such a spontaneous young man, a fun-loving free spirit always ready for his next adventure. He was funny, loving and honest, but he could also be stubborn, boisterous, and crabby sometimes, too! Richie was a real spitfire, but he was a kind, caring man at his core. The big baby had also grown into a big man, too, 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, with his blonde hair and blue eyes - and size 13 feet, just like his Grandpa Smith, quite the family joke! He wore a goatee, and an engaging smile on his face, as well. Sadly, Richie was killed Saturday, January 13, 2007, in a four-wheeler accident, along with his special friend Alicia Boes, while riding up north near Mason County. He loved to go riding with his friends at Silver Lake, and died pursuing his passion. Richie was a fun-loving, adventurous man, who lived his life to the fullest, and the fastest. He was a loyal son, brother, and friend to so many. Richie was an unlce like no other. He was the definition of fun for all his nieces and nephews, and developed a special bond with each one of them. Most of all, Richie was a gift to us, a gift we will keep in our hearts forever. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his Mom and Dad, Richard and Margo Harley of Muskegon: 2 brothers Kenneth (Kathryn) Patterson of Muskegon, Keith (Tara) Patterson of Indiana: Grandparents, Gene & Frances Smith of Muskegon and Martha Harley of Indiana: Nieces and nephews, Paige, Keelan, Lauryn, Maddie and Landon; many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his Grandfather Fred Harley Services are Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 1 pm at Clock Chapel Muskegon Visitation is Tuesday 6-9 pm at Clock Lifestory Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Richard A. Harley II Memorial Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.