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RICHARD M HUGHEY – CLASS OF 1952

Hughey, Richard Merrill Sr of Kalamazoo, Michigan

1927 - 2012

On July 4, 2012, with his wife, Barbara, at his side, Richard Merrill Hughey, Sr. valiantly surrendered to the Parkinson's disease he had been battling for many years.


Richard was born in Moorepark, Michigan on January 15, 1927 at the home of his parents, Florence Celeste (Bastian) and Burgess Earl Hughey. He attended a one-room school through the eighth grade. He later graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1943.


With his country engaged in WW II, Richard joined the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge, Richard's path eventually led him to Western Michigan College. He was actively involved in many organizations including president of Saber and Key, and ROTC which in 1952 named him outstanding cadet with the opportunity to study at West Point for two weeks. Upon graduating from Western, Richard served as a United States Army officer during the Korean War.


In 1957 two significant events took place: Richard was awarded his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan School of Law. Then two weeks later on June 23, Richard and Barbara Joan Parham were married at Kanley Memorial Chapel on Western's campus.


As a Kalamazoo attorney, Richard became President and Partner of Deming, Hughey, Chapman, Richardson and Bosch, P.C. He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, and served as secretary and president of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association.


Richard was a dedicated civic leader serving numerous community organizations including United Way, and board member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He attended First United Methodist Church and served with the Boy Scouts in many capacities.


In 2008, Western Michigan University Foundation named Richard as recipient of the Bill Brown Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership.  In 2009, Richard received the WMU Department of History's Alumni Achievement Award. In 1972, the late Irving S. Gilmore established the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation in order to guarantee that his philosophy of giving would continue in perpetuity. Dick was named the foundation's president and member of the board of trustees.


Richard lived a rich, full, caring, giving life. He will be missed by the many who knew him well. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Jack and sister-in-law, Helen (Miller), sister, Janet Wagner, nephews, John Hughey and Kerry Southworth. Surviving are Richard's wife, Barbara; their son, Richard, Jr. and his wife, Patricia (Wichman) Hughey; their daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Andrew White; grandchildren, Megan and Logan Hughey; nieces and nephews, and devoted Cat, Charlie.