Richard R. Bradshaw was a fun loving man, known for his big heart, for his incredible sense of humor and his intoxicating love for life. He had many talents and used his skills pursuing some of his favorite pastimes of fishing, gardening and woodworking. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. On July 26, 1922, in Orangeville Township, Michigan, Richard Ray Bradshaw was born to George and Jessie (Eiken) Bradshaw, an event that would shape the future generations of his family.
Richard’s childhood was pretty normal for the times, going to school and playing with his siblings. With ten brothers and sisters, he had plenty of opportunity to create unforgettable childhood memories. Richard attended Orangeville Township Elementary School and Delton High School. However, as many young men did at that time, he left school after the tenth grade in order to work in the onion fields to help support his large family.
In November of 1942, Richard was called to serve his country during World War II. He received his draft notice from the United States Army and honorably served in England and Europe for 31 months. During his time in service, Richard received diverse training, but ultimately worked as a camp cook. He often recounted that the more it rained, the more soup the troops ate. Eventually, Richard was put into the infantry as an artillery fighter and fought in the Battle of Brest in France. It was during this battle that Richard endured the worst fighting and was later honored with two citations for holding his position under intense enemy fire at St. Lo and the Roer River.
After being discharged on October 23, 1945, Richard returned home and found work at the paper mill in Parchment and later at the mill in Plainwell. When not working, Richard would often times visit his brother Archie, who just happened to have a cute babysitter for his children named Sarah Ritchie. Smitten with this young lady, Richard asked her out and it wasn’t long before their love for each other blossomed. They were happily married on Richard’s 25th birthday, July 26, 1947. The newlyweds soon settled into an apartment in Kalamazoo, where Richard took a job as an assistant engineer in the boiler room at James River Corp. He would later retire from James River after 35 years of dedicated service.
To their delight, Richard and Sarah welcomed the arrival of their first daughter, Linda, in the fall of 1948. They quickly outgrew their apartment so Richard bought his family a house on Hazard Street in Kalamazoo in 1952. Here the family would create many cherished memories over the next 52 years. The Bradshaw family would grow to include three more daughters, Sherry born in 1955, Mary born in 1957 and Julia born in 1964.
Just because they were girls did not excuse them from learning to mow the lawn, change tires, hammer nails and fish. As an avid fisherman, Richard was especially proud that each of his daughters could bait a hook and clean fish themselves. He even tried to teach them to hunt, but after taking his oldest daughter Linda out for the first time, she was simply too noisy. This put an end to hunting lessons for everyone. Time together as a family was very important and they took many opportunities to do some camping in the Upper Peninsula, sleeping in a big old tent while Richard caught dinner in the lake.
Richard was certainly a dedicated man with many skills. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to fish, particularly ice fishing, and maintained that his favorite fishing hole was on Portage Lake at Cold Brook Park. He really looked forward to deer hunting with his hunting partner, Bill Whipple, and his nephews. When he wasn’t fishing or hunting, Richard could be found in his garden where he grew a variety of vegetables. Although it has been said that what he reaped the most of was beautiful weeds and butternut squash. Another of Richard’s masterful talents lied in woodworking. His family has many cherished pieces he created through the years such as stools, birdhouses and beautiful furniture. However, there are a few pieces that Richard made which his wife Sarah referred to as suspicious looking. His daughters adamantly claim they are lawn animals, but Sarah simply doesn’t see it. When not enjoying the outdoors, Richard liked to relax in his very own lounge chair, which no one dared to sit in, while enjoying a bowl of Campbell’s soup for lunch each day. A true game show fan, Richard loved watching Bob Barker of the Price is Right and never missed Jeopardy. Lately, he has been awestruck by the vast knowledge of Ken Jennings who won 2 million dollars on Jeopardy. Richard was notorious for watching the weather, updating you frequently on the outside temperature, and for watching the clock. A bit of a jokester, he was known to proclaim the time at precisely 5:55, but recited it as, “It’s five, five, five.”
Although not a very good habit, Richard loved chewing tobacco, particularly Kodak Chew, and wasn’t stingy with it either. He offered it to his daughters, grandchildren and anybody else who happened to be standing near though they never accepted his offer. He politely warned someone that he had chew in his mouth when they were going to give him a kiss, so they just planted one on his head instead. Richard adored his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When his last great-granddaughter Zoey was born, he even took to calling her “Princess” just so he wouldn’t miss pronounce her name.
Richard R. Bradshaw of Kalamazoo died on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. He was preceded in death by 7 brothers and sisters. Richard’s family includes his wife, Sarah Bradshaw; his children: Linda & Steve Grybus, Sherry Bradshaw, Mary & Gregory Bagi, Julia Lesman & Matthew Nance; his grandchildren: Tina & Matthew Buchkowski, Tracy Grybus & Don Harris, Jason Bradshaw, Nicole & Dustin Lindsey, Shannon Doxey, Jamie Lesman, Aaron Lesman, Miranda Jensen, R.J. Jensen and Lauren Bagi; his great-grandchildren: Conor Buchkowski, Kayelee Lindsey and Zoey Lesman; his sister, Dorothy, and brothers, George Bradshaw, Jr. and Donald Bradshaw; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Richard was also anxiously awaiting the arrival of two new great-grandbabies.
To learn more about Richard’s life, friends may visit with his family on Sunday, October 17, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Life Story Funeral Homes - Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane. Life Story funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 18, at the same location. Please visit Richard’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association.
Richard’s laughter, his friendly smile and his love for his dear ones will continue to encourage them even as they mourn his passing. He leaves warm memories and lasting love in the hearts of everyone that knew and loved him.
