Richard Schuiteman

Richard Schuiteman was a man who lived a long and full life, a life so full of successes, of family and fond memories. He was a hardworking, self-made man, who made the most of every day in his long life. Dick, as he was known, was a loving husband, brother, uncle and friend, but more than anything, he taught us to appreciate the things we have in life, just as he always did. Dicks story began on a warm spring day in 1910, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, which was undergoing a dramatic transformation thanks to the advent of the airplane and the automobile. On May 20, 1910, Albert and Henrietta (Bremer) Schuiteman celebrated a big change of their own, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard Albert. Dick was the second of the couples seven children, and joined his big brother Dell and little siblings Cliff, Margaret, Dorothy, Mildred and Glenn in the familys home. Richards father worked as a fireman for a time, back in the days when they still used horse-drawn fire wagons! The family packed up and moved to Fremont when Dick was little, where his father tried his hand at farming. Dick attended a little, one-room schoolhouse in Fremont. But when his dad wasnt able to make a go of it in the fields, the family moved back to Muskegon, where he found work at the Norge Plant instead. Dicks mother sadly died when he was a boy, and his dad eventually remarried to a woman named Hazel, who became like a mother to him. Back in Muskegon, Dick began attending Muskegon High School, where he went through the 11th grade and then began working full-time. Dicks first job out of high school was working as a night clerk at the Occidental Hotel in Muskegon, a job he was very thankful to have. Those were the dark days of the Great Depression, after all, and any job was a good job. Dick always appreciated the things he had. When he was a young man, Dicks parents moved to a new home in Muskegon, just down the block from a beautiful young lady named Vivian Kitchen. Dick made her acquaintance, and the sparks flew between them. The couple began dating, and after he saved up a little money, they were married three years later, in 1933. Dick had just a single nickel in his pocket after the wedding, but he also had his beautiful Viv, who was all he ever needed. The newlyweds settled in Muskegon, and Dick soon found a new job at Matson Oldsmobile, a very good job for a young man just starting out. Dick even became the proud owner of one of the very first Model A cars in all of Muskegon! Dick learned quite a bit about cars at Matson, which he would put to good use throughout his career. In 1948, a huge hailstorm swept across Lake Michigan and into the streets of Muskegon, leaving a wide path of dented automobiles in the city, and giving Dick and Viv the perfect opportunity to start their own business. Reliable Auto Body was born, a successful business the couple would own and operate for the next 30 years, and one still in existence today. The couple did everything together over the years, and operated the business as a true partnership. They were blessed with much in their lifetime together, and though they never had children of their own, they lived an incredibly full and active life. After they sold the business in 1973 they moved full time to their summer home on Stony Lake near Shelby where they also owned 4 other cottages that served as rentals. They also bought a home in Florida, where they spent every winter from 1970 to 1994, getting out of the cold and snow of the Midwest. Dic and Viv had plenty of friends and family to keep them busy in retirement, too, and Dick had an especially full social calendar. The couple were faithful members of the Eastlawn Reformed Church, which became the Hope Reformed Church, and Dick was a lifetime member of the Muskegon Elks Club #274. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie #668, and a former Mason, as well. Dick also owned a beautiful cabin in the little town of Watersmeet, in Michigans Upper Peninsula, his favorite place on earth. He loved the cabin dearly, his secluded haven away from it all, where he and his friends would go for deer hunting in the fall. Some of his favorite memories were formed there. As the years progressed, his health began to decline, and his beloved Viv sadly died on September 23, 2004, after 71 years of beautiful marriage together. He missed her dearly, but persevered for a few years. He also longed to return to his cabin in the woods one last time, which due to his age and declining health, was impossible. So his family went in his stead, creating a video of the cabin to show him, which he appreciated so much, a wonderful gift from the people he loved so dearly. On Christmas Eve morning, Dick took a fall at home and was hospitalized and he died there at the hospital on Thursday, December 27, 2007, at the age of 97. Dick was such a wonderful man, who lived a long and wonderful life, a life of so many successes. He was a loving husband, brother, uncle and friend, and a man blessed with much in his lifetime, a life we were so blessed to have shared. He will be greatly missed. Dick is survived by many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viv, his parents & siblings. Services are scheduled for Sunday, December 30, 2007, 2:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Jim Gilliom officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the Muskegon Rescue Mission or West Michigan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 6806 E. Evanston Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Richard, or to sign the online guest book.