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1950 - 2006
 After a long battle with Leukemia, Richard Veach long time Resident of Greenville , went home to be with Jesus on Friday August 4, 2006. Ric was comforted by his wife Pamela and daughter April-Dawn at his passing, which took place at his home on Maston Lake.
Ric was born, Richard James Robert Veach, to James and Harriet (Danowski) Veach, on July 31, 1950, in Grand Rapids, MI. He grew up in Wyoming, MI attending St. John Vianney Catholic School and graduated from Rogers High School in 1968. He held a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University. Ric taught third grade at Walnut Hills Elementary School for 25 years, retiring in 1997. He loved his students and his work.
Ric married Pamela Jane Webster on August 19,1972 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. He and Pam raised two daughters, Amanda Rose, born Jan. 12th, 1975 and April-Dawn born August 21, 1976. Ric was a wonderful dad to his girls, and a true and devoted husband to his wife. He loved to tease his daughters and their friends, and delighted in surprising Pam with roses. In recent years his greatest joy and amusement came from his two grandchildren, granddaughter Caelan, 19 months, and grandson Cameron, 4 months.
Ric was a faithful Christian. He and Pam attended Faith Baptist Church in Greenville for many years. He loved watching the Detroit Red Wings, NASCAR, and Tigers Baseball. Other viewing pleasure included films and documentaries about WWII along with historically based movies such as Ben Hur and Spartacus. He was a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society and spent hours collecting, cleaning and rigging fishing tackle.
Ric was an avid Bass Angler. His love of fishing started in his early twenties and remained one of the defining aspects of his character. He was a long-time member and officer of the Flat River Fishing Club, where he made and kept many close friends. Ric made many trips to large lakes in the south to pursue his love of Bass fishing.
He is survived by his wife Pamela, his daughter Amanda O’Neil (Robert) and their children Caelan Dawn and Cameron Richard of Grand Rapids, MI and his daughter April –Dawn East (Martin) of London , England. Other survivors include his sisters-in-law Joan Crowley (Jim) and Joyce Morrow (Mick) of Ludington, MI as well as many nieces and nephews of whom his was very fond.
Visitation with the family will be held at Hurst Funeral Home on Sunday August 6 from 2-5 PM .The funeral will be conducted at 2 PM on Monday, August 7 at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Lacy officiating . Interment will be at Big Prairie Cemetery, in Big Prairie Township, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan and /or Mel Trotter Christian Ministries.
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There are currently 15 condolences.
I am Pastor Lucky Kuma
Saturday September 2, 2006 at
3:00 PM
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Dear brethren,Richard Daise
BRETHREN IN THE LORD
I am Pastor Lucky Kuma;
of the Word Mission Agency INC.also known as the Rhema Faith Chapel in Khartoum,Sudan where I acted as the senior Pastor and a Sudanese assistance with me.
In the wake of the Civil and Military uprising in he country,I thought myself lucky to have received what I temed as 'Gift' from above when in the morning of 15th July,2005 being a Friday,and about 10.30am,some men dressed as Arabs numbering about twelve came into my church demanding to see me.This was after our usual morning devotional service.My staff in the church never wanted to lead them to me but on persuassion two of them came into my officewith the church cashier.They told me that they were from the Northern part of the country and that they were the Arab militias and that their aim was to unsettle the goverment of Omar Al Bashir and that they were the ones responsible for the make-believe helicopter crash of the Vice President Gerang for being on the side of the Government.My mind initially was that they came to accept Jesus as their Lord and Personal saviour and to confess all their sins but I was wrong.
They wanted a favour from me on where to keep their ammunitions and really I was thinking of contacting the Police after their leaving on the present situation.They debated among themselves on whether they will drop all that they came with and at the end all was dropped. On their departure, I contacted the Police but they never came.In that process,I was led to check the contents of their bags and to my greatest surprise, one contained money in United States Dollars which I believe that I have never come across before.I called the Police but they never showed up again.
With the intense fighting going on in the city, there was a directive that all residents of the city should be transported to the United Nations Refugee camp in Darfur on the 25th of July 2005 for safety.I went there with some of my personal belongings including the bag containing the money with the hope to turn it over the secury agents there.The fighting came down there between the Arab Militias and the Government led forces and without any account of the people that came to my office with their weapons,I was recoiled to our regional headquaters in Accra,Ghana and from there,I moved over to my Country Ghana which is close bye for some rest.While in Ghana,I cried to the Lord in Fasting/Prayers for seven days and He directed me to deposit the contents of the bag in a box and deposit in a named Security Company in Accra Ghana and that He had plans for the money:This I did.
My church after a while redeployed me to head the Connor district area of my church in Sierra leone.While in this Country,the Lord visited me again and loudly told me to hand over the box with the money to you for the purpose which He has for the money.He revealed your name to me and your e mail contact to me and the reason why He chose you,I do not know.
You are hereby directed to contact theSecurity Company in Ghana as the next of Kin to Pastor Lucky Kuma and the box will be released to you without any delay.The company does not know the real contents of the Box for I deposited it as the Lord's materials for the church.God said that you are to use the money contained in the box for the charity and the less priveledged in your Country and this must be adhered to.
The value of the money is $4.7million.I will forward to you the original copy of the documents in my posession for you to forward them to the security Company as my next of kin.On my part I will contact the company on your behalf.I will clarify you more on the receipt of our mail.
God bless and Guide you
Your's in The Lord Service,
PASTOR LUCKY KUMA
I DEPOSITED THE BOX ON THE 13TH OF AUGUST
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Ken and Bonnie McNeil
Tuesday August 8, 2006 at
5:41 PM
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Pam and girls, we were sorry to hear of Rick's passing. As old next-door neighbors on Maplelawn, we have many memories of the Veach family. Rick used to be time keeper on Saturdays at the YMCA when Ken and Mike were refereeing. Rick always said that the money he made on Sat. put gas in his car for the entire week for his commute to GVSU. May God comfort you.
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Jeremy Gladding
Tuesday August 8, 2006 at
3:30 AM
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I used to work with Rick at La Fond's after he retired from teaching. I remember the first day I worked with him, I called him "Mr. Veach." He smirked, looked at me and said, "I appreciate your respect, but you can call me Rick. After all, you're an adult now... I think."
From that day on, it was nothing but teasing and pranks. The same guy who taught more than 1000 students, is the guy who stuffed a napkin between the buns of my Wendy's hamburger!
Rick was a great guy who continued to teach into his retirement. I think we spent more hours a day talking about wars, then we did selling cars. I will certainly miss our chats, his pranks and his teasing.
Rest in peace my friend.
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Heather Dennis-Hanna
Monday August 7, 2006 at
3:39 PM
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May God bless you with the love and support that comes from a strong family. May you also find peace in the knowledge that he will live forever in your hearts.
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Cecil and Ruth Wyckoff
Monday August 7, 2006 at
12:04 PM
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Dearest Pam
We send to you and the girls our deepest heartfelt sympathy as we read of your loss of Rick.
We want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers...Only Jesus can fill that void with His Love and comfort as only He can give.
Sincerely old Christain friends because of Faith Baptist and Pastor Lacy.
Cecil and Ruth Wyckoff
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Gaye Robbins Scott
gls24@hotmail.com
Monday August 7, 2006 at
9:04 AM
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Dear Pam and family. We're so sorry to hear of Ric's passing. We met years ago...I grew up on Maplelawn, too.
I hope you can find comfort in wonderful memories of your years together.
God bless all of you.
Gaye and Mike Scott
Auburn, AL
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Jessica (Christensen) Mamais
Monday August 7, 2006 at
8:49 AM
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This poem was given to me when my Mom died from ALS.
God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be
So he closed his arms around you and whispered "come to me"
You didn't deserve what you went through
And so he gave you...Rest
God's garden must be beatiful
He only takes the best
And when I saw you sleeping
So peaceful so free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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Sheila Papalcure
Monday August 7, 2006 at
1:25 AM
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Pam, Mandy, April, and family - Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We have so many precious memories over the years as my daughter, Jen, and April-Dawn have been such close friends since early grade school, and the friendship Pam and I developed through our daughters. Ric will be be dearly missed by so many. With much love and prayers, Sheila
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Jill (Harvey) Nickelson
jillnickelson@highland-chrysler.com
Sunday August 6, 2006 at
11:54 PM
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Pam, I attended Rogers High, my sister Pati, graduated in 1969. I remember Rick -- not as a close friend, but as a fellow classmate. I am so sorry to hear of his battle with leukemia and subsequent death. Sounds like he was a real blessing to his family, friends, students and co-workers.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
God Bless you All,
Jill (Harvey) Nickelson
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stuart d. peet
Sunday August 6, 2006 at
10:57 PM
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I am sorry to read about Rick Veachs passing. I worked with him at Rogers High School. He was amiable and liked Bob Dylans I want you. I was at your wedding and am GVSU Alumni 79 and 83 Teacher K-12. Wish you all the best. Stuart D. Peet Martin Township Allegan County
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stuart d. peet
Sunday August 6, 2006 at
10:50 PM
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I am sorry to read about Rick Veachs passing. I worked with him at Rodgers High School. He was amiable and liked Bob Dylans I want you. I was at your wedding and am GVSU Alumni 79 and 83 Teacher K-12. Wish you all the best. Stuart D. Peet Martin Township Allegan County
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Cynthia Perry
Sunday August 6, 2006 at
8:28 PM
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Pam, Amanda and April-Dawn, Thinking of you and praying for you at this time.
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Barb & Kirk Perry
Sunday August 6, 2006 at
3:30 PM
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Ric was truly a one-of-a kind person! He was deeply caring, yet very funny. We both enjoyed taking classes with him, especially the video kind where we shared each other's homes and really got to know each other. We will really miss his gentle, fun spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Pam, Amanda, and April-
Barb & Kirk Perry
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Kevin & Carrie Brecker
Saturday August 5, 2006 at
8:57 PM
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We are so sorry to hear of Ric's passing. We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to your family. May God comfort you at this difficult time.
-Kevin Brecker
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Holly Baker
Saturday August 5, 2006 at
11:53 AM
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I just wanted to say what wonderful person he was. He was my third grade teacher. I think all the kids in the school knew who he was i remember him always standing outside his classroom door and greating everyone as they went by. Even when i was older and came back to get my little sister from school he still remembered who i was. I know he will bw missed by alot of people.
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