Richard Ziegler

Richard “Dick” Ziegler, aged ninety-two, passed away at his Cascade Township home on December 18, 2023.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Rollin and Ora Ziegler, his wife of 66 years, Marcie Ziegler and sons Scot and Rick Ziegler. Dick is survived by son Jon “Jeff” Ziegler, daughter Kimberly Greenman, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Dick was raised on the family farm in rural Maple Park, IL. Having graduated high school at the age of sixteen, Dick spent a year and a half at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dick met future wife Marcie during his time in Florida attending school. Dick was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Army, spending the last four years of service in Germany and Norway as an Army helicopter pilot. After Dick left the Army, the next eighteen years were spent making his living as a helicopter pilot, flying mail out of midway in Chicago, and a stint at New York Airways. He also spent seven years as a test pilot for Kaman and Boeing.

Dick and family moved to the Grand Rapids, MI area in 1971, where he was flying for market research company, Lanning Corp, when the company decided to move to Boston. Dick decided to stay in Grand Rapids, which led to a second career with Prudential as a special agent. Dick retired in 1993, and during the early years of retirement, Dick and Marcie spent summers sailing on Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan on their thirty-foot sailboat and several Winter cruises to the Caribbean.

Dick had a long and interesting life and was kind and generous to both family and friends. He will truly be missed.

Per Dick’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and he has been reunited with his wife Marcie.

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