Obituary: Richard Furstenberg, 84, of Ludington

February 22, 2023

Dick Furstenburg

Obituary: Richard Furstenberg, 84, of Ludington

Richard Wolf Furstenberg, 84, went to the arms of His Lord and Savior peacefully early Tuesday morning on February 21, 2023, at the Sutter Living Center in Ludington. Richard, known to friends as Dick, was born on October 25, 1938, in Saginaw to Norman and Dorothy (Wolf) Furstenberg. Dick was the youngest of his three siblings—his older brothers James (Jim), and William (Bill) preceded Dick’s death in 1951 and 1985, respectively.

Dick graduated with the Class of 1957 from St. Mary’s Cathedral, Saginaw, where he was known for his athleticism in football and basketball and earned the nickname HotDog for his basketball skills. After high school, Dick attended Ferris State College (now Ferris State University) for his first two years of study, where he was a Delta Tau Epsilon fraternity member. Dick then transferred to his beloved Michigan State University for his final college years and graduated from MSU with a residential building and construction degree in 1961. During his senior year of college, Dick married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Ann (Bastien) on August 26, 1961, in Saginaw at St. Mary’s Cathedral. After graduating in 1962, Dick and Barb relocated to Kent, Ohio, where he began a lumberyard management career of 36 years with Wickes Lumber. Dick’s success at reviving failing lumber yards led him to work and relocate all around Ohio and New York resulting in years of recognition from his company as a Top Ten leading manager for Wickes Corporation earning him the nickname “Tiger” from upper management.

In 1978, Dick moved his wife, five children, and dog back to Michigan to manage Wickes Lumber in Scottville until he retired in 1998. Throughout his career, he was a member of the National Association of Home Builders. Dick built five of his family homes and moved 13 times. Dick was fun-loving, industrious, tireless, and selfless in his care for his family.

Dick developed his love for the outdoors in Ludington with years of fishing, bowhunting, golf, and woodworking. He also enjoyed playing poker with his close friends.

Dick’s adult children nicknamed him Tricky for his fun-loving prankster spirit. His unforgettable bright blue eyes sparkling with laughter and mischief will be greatly missed by all— especially his children— Bethany (Laude) Hartrum of Ludington, Jim (Mandi) Furstenberg of Traverse City, Richard Furstenberg of Los Angeles, Laura (Paul) Powers of Ludington, and, Christopher (Sandra) Furstenberg of La Crescenta, Cali.; nine grandchildren: Jamie (Dan) Hedges of Vine Grove, Ky., Jesse (Courtney) Furstenberg of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Laude Hartrum IV of Chicago, Emily Hartrum of Ludington, Alaina Furstenberg of San Francisco, Sophia Powers of Ludington, Kaden Powers of Ludington, Lindsey Furstenberg of La Crescenta, Cali.; and Flynn Powers of Ludington; Dick’s older sister, Susan Schultz of Saginaw; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hebeler of Ovid; along with many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Church in Custer with Fr. Dan DePew presiding. Following Mass, the family invites attendees to a luncheon at St. Mary’s family center. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington later this year. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dick’s honor to the Caritas Food Pantry, a service of St. Mary’s Church, 85 S. Madison Ave., Custer, MI, 49405. The family also would like to thank the Medilodge and Sutter’s Living Center/ Oakview staff for the loving, attentive, and gentle care they offered Dick.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.