Richard (Dick) Meinhold of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2019 surrounded by his family. Dick was born on August 2, 1958, to Donald Charles Meinhold & Lea (Connors) Meinhold in Bad Axe, Michigan. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Bad Axe until seventh grade. He graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1976 and then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ferris College in 1980. On May 23, 1980, he married Susan Adler at St. Paul’s Chapel in Big Rapids, and then moved to Bad Axe where he joined his father and brother Paul in the family business. Dick eventually purchased the Meinhold Dairy and Meinhold Car Wash. He also built and operated Brick Street Laundry. After retiring from the family business in 2018, he joined the Forest Hills School System in Grand Rapids in the Food Services Division. Dick and Susan were blessed with three children, Cari, Michael, and Brian, whom they raised in Bad Axe. Dick enjoyed his days as coach of his daughter’s softball team, where he found that the secret to winning was chewing bubble gum! Every summer you could find him and the family jet skiing across Lake Huron from Caseville to the Port Crescent Day Park. During his childhood and later in life, he reignited his passion for motocross racing. He also enjoyed landscaping, riding his bicycle and reading. Some of his favorite pastimes included playing with his grandchildren and captaining the pontoon boat during the annual Adler family vacations in northern Michigan. Dick is survived by the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, best friend, and wife of 39 years, Susan and their three children: Cari and Bryan Kitahara of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Michael and Jaclyn (Siev) Meinhold of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Brian Meinhold and his partner Maddie Watson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two grandsons Connor (4) and Cameron (2) Kitahara; and his two yorkies Shelby and Holly. He is also survived by his mother, Lea; sister, Jan Meinhold; and brother, Tom, all of Bad Axe, and his younger brother Jim of Indianapolis; parents-in-law, Edward and Janet Adler of Palmetto, FL; sisters-in-law, Barb (James) Weston of Grand Rapids, MI, Pam (Shawn) McGuire of Las Vegas, NV, Lynn Brown of Grand Rapids, MI; brother-in-law, Steve (Deanna) Adler of Marshall, MI; and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his father, Donald and brother Paul. Friends may visit with the family Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Ada Bible Church, 3869 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at the Church immediately following at 11:00 AM. Reverend Phil Niekerk, officiating. Memorials can be made to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) specifying the Dean R. O’Neill Renal Cell Cancer Research Fund. https://fnih.org/Donate/oneill_fund.
19 Responses
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I walked with him at our graduation ceremony at Bad Axe High School. I have missed seeing him at the car wash/gas station, where we could visit once in a while. I also worked for Meinhold Dairy for his parents, they were wondered people. My prayers to Sue and the entire family.
Karen (Ross) Holz
Sue and family. So sorry to hear about Dick passing away. Prayers are with you and your family. Ron and Mary Beth Nimtz
Susan and family, I only knew Dick for a short time at school, what a lovely, kind, wonderful man, he always had time for a hello and how is everyone.
So very sorry for your loss, glad Dick’s suffering is over,
Martina Ovens
Sue, We are sorry to hear of your loss. Dick will be remembered in our prayers.
My heart hurts hearing this. I’m just so mournful for ALL the Meinhold’s and Adlers. I remember the double dates, our “boys” racing at the roller rink when Sue and I were crying tears at the hilarity!!!! Oh the times we had! My hope is that Peace finds you ALL soon.
Thinking of you and your family at this very emotional time. Sending our love and support.
Les heard of Dick’s passing on the radio. Really sorry to hear about this. We was a great guy. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts are with you Sue and family at this difficult time. I went to school with Dick from elementary through high school. We had fun as bowling partners in the Sacred Heart league in our 20’s. I know he will be deeply missed.
Dear Susan and family, many of us are all thinking and praying for you during this hard and difficult time. Dick will be so missed by many. My heart goes out to you and so appreciate all the stories we had a chance to share. I especially wanted you to know that you are in all our thoughts especially with my current and past “team vogel”. God’s Blessings to you.
Cari / Bryan / Connor / Cameron and Sue
Deeply saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. We will fondly remember Dick for gamely playing charades and trivia games on Thanksgiving…and, being darn good at it. Gone too soon.
Thinking of all of you.
Norman and Gail Kondo
Lauren, George and Emi Rabil
Sue, so sorry for your loss. Dick was a good man and a good friend. So young, my prayers are with you and your children now and into the future. Change will challenge us at every turn, this change will as well. The memories can never be taken away, they will last forever. Prayers
Dear Sue and family,
Very sorry to hear of your loss my deepest sympathy to all of you.
It was a sad day to hear of Dick’s passing. My heart goes out to you, Sue, and all of your family. I recall many fun laughs with Dick during our high schools years. Prayers to you and family.
Dear Sue and family:
We’re so very sorry for your loss. Dick was a great and friendly neighbor. The last time i saw and spoke with him, he was walking the dogs. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers as you all morn Dicks passing.
Susan and family,
Our prayers are with you in your time of need. May our Heavenly Father wrap you in love, peace and comfort. So sorry for your tremendous loss. May the good memories be present, and at the forefront of your thoughts.
With love,
Scott and Sarah Pingel & kids
Dear Susan and family, I am so saddened by your loss. But, Dick had a full life filled with love of family. A lucky man indeed. I pray many happy memories will aid you in this time.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Sure miss seeing Dick at the car wash, just not the same place.
Sue…and family! I’m so sad to hear about Dick’s passing. Great man who will be deeply missed. Prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
Dear Sue and family,
Our deepest sympathy to you all. We are praying you know the comfort and strength that only Christ can give. Happy God bless you
All and give you peace.
Pastor and Pam Lueke.