Richard Kent, 72, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, January 31, 2021 after a long battle with cancer.
Richard was born on September 7, 1948 in Bucyrus, Ohio to Wilma (Breymaier) and Richard P. Kent.
He graduated from Lincoln Park High School, Lincoln Park. Michigan in 1966. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the former Shaw College at Detroit. Later, he earned a Master of Science degree in Health Administration from Central Michigan University.
Baseball and hockey were two sports that he was involved in and enjoyed. As a youngster, he played little league baseball. He also played in the Babe Ruth League and American Legion Baseball. He played hockey as a young teen and junior hockey in Ontario for the league affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings.
On January 8, 1972, he married Frances (Venuto) at the former St. Alan’s Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. They enjoyed over 49 years together lovingly supporting each other in all endeavors.
Richard worked proudly as a medical technologist and then as a laboratory manager for 40 years in hospitals and clinics in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana. He retired from the Elkhart Clinic in 2013.
Richard had many hobbies and past times. He built radio-control model airplanes and enjoyed flying them as a member of the Sky Knights in Bremen, Indiana. He also enjoyed riding bicycles with his wife on trails throughout Michigan and Indiana. He was a competitive trap shooter and a member of Kosko Conservation Club in Warsaw, Indiana. Fishing was also a passion and he could be seen casting into the pond behind his home often. He also learned to play golf during his retirement. Richard was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth.
He is survived by his loving wife Frances of Plymouth, and his son Andrew (Jessica) of Elgin, Illinois; sisters-in-law: Rena (Robert) Young of Matthews, North Carolina, and Annamarie (Dan) Nord of Spring Hill, Florida; brothers-in-law, Frank (Mary) Venuto of Haslett, Michigan, and Anthony (Sylvia) Venuto of Lisbon, Iowa; and aunt, Elaine (Alan) Corfman of Ottawa, Ohio.
Richard is also survived by his stepsisters and stepbrothers: Kathy Mastre of Southgate, Michigan, Patti Bushway of Wyandotte, Michigan, Tim Bushway of Lincoln Park, Michigan, and Debbie (Richard) Capra of Allen Park, Michigan; as well as, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Betty; his grandparents; a nephew and an aunt.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for memorial contributions to be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631, the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St. Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458, or Center for Hospice Care 112 S. Center St. Plymouth IN 46563.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 760 Tiffin Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus, Ohio.
The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth, IN and Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus, OH are assisting with arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: For your protection, the entire funeral home staff will wear masks. It is mandated that family members and their guests do so as well.