Richard Hobart Shroyer, 86

Born: June 29, 1926

Died: Jan. 18, 2013

 

Richard Hobart “Hobie” Shroyer lived a full life devoted to God, family and country until his death on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Forest Glen, Dowagiac, where he had been receiving hospice care for the past month.

Richard was born June 29, 1926, in Dowagiac, to Clark Hobart and Marguerette (Means) Shroyer.

He attended Dowagiac public schools first through twelfth grades, graduating in 1944.

Richard then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, until 1947.

He married Mary Lou Kempton on Aug. 22, 1947. They lived the first 36 years of their family life together in a Decatur farmhouse originally owned by Mary Lou’s grandmother.

During this time, they raised their three sons, Jon (Terra), Dan (Mary) and Joel (Leonda), living a busy life that included annual vacations with family and friends, home remodeling, Scouting and many other school activities.

They then moved to their dream cottage custom built on the banks of the pond at the back of their farm where they enjoyed 30 years of gardening, crafting, cooking and decorating.

Richard worked as a commercial printer, retiring from Burch Printing, Benton Harbor.

For many years, he served as Hamilton Township treasurer.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and VFW Post 6248, both of Decatur.

A lifelong love of music began when Richard was in junior high, playing clarinet and saxophone in Dowagiac school bands.

He was in a Marine band during his military years, and played in several professional dance and jazz bands during the 1950s.

He had a vast collection of classical, bluegrass and country albums which he enjoyed hearing and sharing during his later years.

Besides his wife, sons and their wives, Richard is survived by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is his only brother, Eugene, of Arizona.

Family and friends will remember their Hobie as a devoted husband and father with a healthy sense of humor, gifted musical and artistic talents and a legendary love for eating.

Private family services have been held. Those who wish to do so may direct memorials toward First Presbyterian Church of Decatur.