Richard DeKam

Richard “Dick” DeKam, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the end of the Great Depression. He was one of three (3) children by Agnes and Ronald DeKam, who raised their family in the Milwood neighborhood. Richard’s siblings, Ron “Sonny” DeKam and Beverly Kramer, passed prior to Richard’s passing.

Richard attended Barber Hall and St. Augustine’s Catholic Schools, before joining the Army immediately after high school. Richard initially married Mary Whitehead DeKam shortly after returning home from the war. They had three children, Rickie Ronald, Rodney Allan, and Kimberly Ann (Oswalt), and raised his family in Kalamazoo. Richard was a commercial plumber and pipefitter and a member of the local Pipefitters Union.

Richard divorced in 1965. He remarried Sally Linde in 1975, who at that time had four children, including Kathryn, Steven, John and Don. Together, they raised their melded family in Portage, where they finished raising seven of their children together.

Richard and Sally were well known for embracing life. They loved to golf and play tennis and were very active socially. They loved music, dancing and traveling. While they had a number of adventures overseas, they were especially fond of Hilton Head Island where they spent most of their summers.

Richard and Sally retired and relocated to Sun City West, AZ, in 1998, where they were able to continue pursuing interests year-round. After Sally passed in 2003, Richard remained in Sun City for several years, but later returned to Michigan to be closer to family.

Richard passed on Wednesday, August 21 st , at home surrounded by family and friends. Richard died of natural causes and did not suffer. He is survived by his three children (and spouses), two of Sally’s remaining children Don (and Sandy), of Warren, MI, and Steven (and Sheri), of Charlston, SC, together with ten grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home in Kalamazoo, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, with services starting promptly at 4:00 PM. Celebrate Richard's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com