Richard "Dick" Schmaltz

Richard "Dick" Schmaltz of West Bloomfield passed away on October 12, 2023 at the age of 80.  He was the husband of Pam, father of Amy (Paul Murchie) Schmaltz, and Elizabeth Schmaltz; he is the grandfather of Lily Murchie, and brother of Katherine, Alice, Lorna and Lloyd.  He is preceded in death by his parents Martin and Eva Schmaltz, and his siblings, Marie, Alvina (Liz) and Jerome.

Dick enjoyed history, reading about it and visiting historic locations.  He was at one time an avid fly fisherman, tying his own flies.  He loved traveling with his family, watching football and anything having to do with planes.  He loved "junk food camping" in Gaylord with his daughters, his brother Lloyd and his kids, and his best friend Jerry with his – this was "Dad Camping" at its finest.  He, his friends, his brother and his nephews have spent more than 50 years at "Deer/Beer Camp," and that tradition over Thanksgiving continues.  Most importantly for his family, he was a great dad – his girls always came first, and he could be found at every ballet and tap recital, every Camp Fire Girls event, all the school fairs and anywhere Amy and Elizabeth needed to be.  He was loved by his family, and liked by so many people he met, people he transported when he was in his second profession (after sales) in his 60s, non-emergency transport for Star EMS and Beaumont Hospital.  So like his mom, he chatted with any and every random stranger he happened to run into.

Dick is a proud United States Navy veteran, serving on the USS Trigger, a diesel submarine – earning his Dophins along the way; and the USS Francis Marion, a troop carrier, during the Vietnam era.

Visitation for Dick will take place Sunday, October 15 at the Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, Clarkston, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 16 at 10 a.m.; family and friends may arrive anytime after 9 a.m.  A luncheon will follow at the 15th Street Tavern (north of I-75 in Clarkston) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly at 2:30 p.m. for those wishing to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Honor Flights – Michigan . Please consider leaving a memory or condolence on Dick's online guestbook below.