Richard Kaup

Richard Dick Kaup was a true family man. He liked to fish, get together with friends and play some cards, but family always came first. He knew what was important in life, that there is nothing more valuable, more lasting or more rewarding than giving all you can possibly give of yourself to your children, your family, and your friends. How lucky they all were to have him in their lives. The year was 1933. Prohibition had ended and President Franklin Roosevelt began his "fireside chats" on weekly radio broadcasts. People were trying their best to provide for their families as the Great Depression spread across the land. It was a difficult time for all Americans, but John and Frances (Kothman) Kaup tried to maintain a positive outlook by focusing on the blessings in their life, their three children Margie, Tom and Jerry - and especially the newest addition, Richard, born on October 5, 1933, in Burkettsville, Ohio. Burkettsville is a very small village, situated on the dividing line between Darke and Mercer counties in western Ohio. This little community was John and Frances Kaups home and they worked hard to support their growing family. Over the next several years, Dick became big brother to Stan, Barbara and Mike. Life was hard and money was scarce, but what they lacked in monetary things, they more than made up for in love and resourcefulness, supported by their Catholic faith. It was this sense of wanting to make life better that prompted John to move his family to Springfield, Ohio to find work. Dick attended school in Springfield and loved to play sports, especially basketball. He would continue to enjoy sports the rest of his life. Sadly, Dicks mother died when he was 15, and it became his responsibility to help raise his younger siblings. Needed more at home than at school, Dick left high school in the 10th grade. Soon after, Dick joined the Marines and was first stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. By 1950, the Korean Conflict had drawn in the United States and Dick was sent to Korea. The Marines saw a lot of action during this time, and when he returned home, it was clear that he did not have pleasant memories of his time there. He didnt talk about it very much. But one good thing came out of this experience Dick met Bud Beaucamp, and they became best friends. When they were discharged, both Bud and Dick returned to Buds hometown of Muskegon, Michigan, and Dick found work at a local foundry. He also met and married Buds sister Maryann, but the marriage lasted just a short time. Luckily, the divorce did not dampen Dick and Buds friendship. Dick did some bartending on the side in his spare time, and he eventually left the foundry and became a full-time bartender at one of Muskegons most popular restaurants Lakos. In the early 1960s, while working at Lakos, Dick met a lovely lady named Marcia Matteson DuRocher. Marcia was also divorced and the mother of three children, and worked at Clark Floor Machines. Dick and Marcia dated for several years and when they finally decided to get married, Dick thought he needed a better job to support his new family. So he and Bud moved to Flint, Michigan and found work in the auto factories there. Well, fate has a way of changing things, and when Marcia mentioned to her boss that she was getting married and moving to Flint, her boss replied, Why doesnt Dick get a job at Clark Flooring and you can all stay here? That is exactly what happened, and Dick and Marcia were married on December 3, 1965. They settled in Roosevelt Park, making new friends and raising their family. Together, they joined a bowling league with their good friends and neighbors, Arlie and Pat Smock. In the summer, Dicks family in Ohio would make annual visits to Muskegon to visit and Dick and family often traveled back to Ohio. One of Dicks favorite pastimes was fishing. And one of his best fishing buddies was Marcia's dad, Thurman Matteson. Together they bought a fishing boat and loved any excuse to take it out onto the lake to go fishing. They spent countless days out on the water and loved to bring other friends with them. When Thurman passed away, Dick sold his boat and stopped fishing the joy had gone. In the mid 1980s, Clark Floor Machine closed its Muskegon facility and Dick went to work at a Spring Lake company as a machinist, and Marcia began working for Cannon Downriggers. Her job caused them to move to Idaho for a short time, but they eventually returned to Michigan, settling in the Portage area. By now, Dick had been diagnosed with emphysema and it became necessary for him to leave work and go on disability. He needed oxygen to help him breath but still tried to keep busy. They took a wonderful trip to Belgium, went on a cruise and made several trips to Florida. Dick was now a grandfather and loved spending time with his precious grandchildren. He made it a point to follow all of their activities, and when some of them attended the University of Michigan, they were able to convert this longtime Buckeye to a Wolverine fan. Dick had always enjoyed sports and loved to watch any and all games. For the last ten years, Dicks reliance on oxygen had increased, and he needed it with him at all times. When Marcia retired in 2003 they moved to Byron Center to be closer to their family. Sadly, the emphysema slowly took over Dicks life and he became weaker and weaker. His battle ended on February 8, 2008. Dick Kaups hard work had provided him and his family with a full and happy life. But what gave him the greatest joy was sharing himself with his family, offering them the most precious thing he possessed his time. It is a gift they will never forget. Dick is survived by his wife, Marcia Kay Kaup; son, Kurt DuRocher of Byron Center; daughters, Renee (Jeffrey) Carlson of Jenison & Lori (Richard) Tobey of Muskegon; 1 sister, Barbara (Jack) Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister & 5 brothers. Services will be Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 12:00 Noon at Clock Chapel with Rev. Christine Battjes officiating. You may visit with his family on Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.