Richard D. Sedlecky

Richard D. Sedlecky, age 90, of Comstock Park, went to be with his Savior on October 23 while at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Richard was born on January 2, 1929 in Battle Creek to Arthur F. and Dorothy D. (Dean) Sedlecky and was preceded in death by his son Richard J. Sedlecky, granddaughters Michelle Lunn and Katherine Sedlecky, brother and sister-in-law James and Judy Sedlecky, brother David Sedlecky, sister-in-law Eileen (Fanning) Butler, grandparents Frank and Agnes Sedlecky, and nephew Danny Tarchinski. Richard will forever be remembered as a most caring, kind, loving, compassionate, humble, and faith-driven husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, Godfather, uncle, friend, and cousin and was lovingly regarded as a tremendous storyteller, interested listener, and dedicated mentor who possessed a heartily contagious laugh, a glowing smile, and charming wisdom. While he devoted his life to his family, Richard was also incredibly generous in giving of his time and talents to charity and the less fortunate, having co-founded Capitol Lunch, which eventually became God’s Kitchen, with his wife Barbara and friends. He was a lifelong blood donor and served countless hours at St. John’s Home and Catholic Social Services. Ever knowledgeable and curious beyond measure, Richard was a 1947 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Aquinas College in 1951 and a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Detroit in 1954. Richard proudly served his country in the Army Ordinance Division from 1954-1956 before teaching numerous engineering courses – including to his daughters Marianne and Jeanne, grandchildren Ben and Michelle, and thousands more students – for 48 years at Aquinas College; he received professor emeritus status upon his retirement in 2003. In 2009 Richard was inducted into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame. Richard also served as President of F.A. Sedlecky and Co., a precast concrete company, and as a long-time Structural Engineer at Daverman/URS Greiner. He was actively involved in many notable engineering projects throughout his professional career, including the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, the construction of the Nanjing Lukou International Airport in China, and the creation of the Marian Shrine on the campus of Aquinas College, his cherished alma mater. He was adamant about teaching his students, children, and grandchildren the difference between cement and concrete. Richard found comfort and is now in the arms of angels. Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara E. (Fanning) Sedlecky, sister Mary (Richard) Tarchinski, sister-in-law Nancy Sedlecky, children Marianne (Dave) Stauber, Suzanne (Mike) Lunn, Tom (Debra) Sedlecky, Joseph (Mary) Sedlecky, John (Jane) Sedlecky, Jeanne (Brian) Herrmann, Sarah Gengelbach (Richie) grandchildren Nathaniel (Rebecka) Tagg, Justin Sedlecky, Danielle (Blade) Patrick, Dustin (Erin) Nash, Benjamin (Kelly) Sedlecky, Matthew (Christina) Lunn, Elliot (Ashlee) Sedlecky, Ann Marie Stauber, Samuel (Nicole) Sedlecky, Laura (Luke) Snyder, Chelsea (Casey) Coretti, Morgen Sedlecky, Kara Sedlecky Terry, Emily Sedlecky, Cameron Sedlecky, and Joshua Sedlecky, great-grandchildren Weston, Hudson, Dawson, Ella, Tenley, Tyson, Ellenor, Veda, Charlotte, Iris, and Ruth, and many nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones. A funeral service in memory of Richard Sedlecky will be held at 11:00am Tuesday, October 29 with visitation for one-hour prior at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1200 Alpine Church Rd NW, Comstock Park, MI. The family will receive visitors on Monday, October 28 from 2-4pm and 6-9pm, with a rosary at 8:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Stocking Mortuary, 585 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michelle Lunn Hope Foundation at http://www.mlhope.org/ or God’s Kitchen.

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Richard D. Sedlecky

January 2, 1929 - October 23, 2019