Richard William Chaffee
9/18/61-4/4/21
Rich. T-Bone. Dad. Padre. Pops. Papaw.
He was a man of many names and talents. He was
a true friend, a loyal husband, the greatest dad his
kids could ask for, and one heck of a silly Papaw.
Rich was born to Eva and Clyde in Claire,
Michigan, was raised in Harrison, Michigan, and
built a life for himself and his family in Iron
Mountain, Michigan.
He loved fishing, even when all he caught was a
sunburn on the bald spot through the back of his
hat. He loved hunting, especially whitetail,
pheasants, and turkeys. Any time spent in the
woods was considered a good hunt, even when he
didn’t see anything. He was an avid hoarder with a
collection of things he "might need later" in the
garage, and an eternal optimist when it came to
project vehicles that everyone else knew would
never get done. He loved to shoot the breeze over
a cup of coffee, never missed an opportunity to
make a dad joke, and always had the best advice
just when it was needed. He will be extremely
missed, but his friends and family find small solace
in knowing that Rich finally roams the woods with
Sasquatch.
Rich is survived by his wife Chris, his children
Marissa (Jon), CeJai (Steven), Danielle (Nathan),
Kindra (Cody), Ricky (Mariah), and Hope. His
grandchildren Jordan, Alicia, Mackenzie, Vance,
Lacie, Oliver, and Escanor, with two more on the
way. His sister Judy Sexton, his brother David
Boring (Cassie), his second father David Boring Sr.
(Marci), his nephew Chad, nieces Faith and Allana,
sisters-in-law Karen Davis, Liza Heidtman,and
Michaelene Koelsch, lifetime friend Don Lidbeck,
and his favorite cousins Jimmy and Jeff Presley,
and Al Sexton.
There will be a private celebration of life for family
and close friends on Saturday, May 29, 2021.