Richard L. Duggan

Rich Duggan gave a first impression of being a quiet man. But as you got to know him, conversations with Rich were thoughtful and sincere. A highly respected worker, husband, father, and friend, he openly shared his energy for life in every action, every day. He followed his heart, and never took for granted the chance to make memories, have fun, and enjoy the people he loved.

In the mid 1960s, Ron Duggan and his wife Donna (Morell) learned that they were expecting their first child. Nervous and excited, they welcomed their baby boy on August 23, 1965, and named him Richard Lee Duggan. Baby Rich soon made his way from Ludington's Paulina Stearns Hospital to his parent's home in Custer Township , where he would soon be growing up beside his younger brother - and best friend - Brian.

The Duggan boys were always together - riding bikes, playing basketball or baseball, riding horses, or going to 4-H. Some of Rich's friends included two boys by the names of Brian Shimel and Bruce Barnhardt. Ron had raced demolition derby cars when the boys were young, but had walked away from the sport. At age 16, Brian rekindled the lost love and began racing derby cars himself. Rich soon followed his brother, with dad joining in to make it a family affair. Together they shared a passion for racing - for the challenge, exhilaration, and fun it brought to their life.

Rich graduated from Mason County Central High School in 1983. He decided to pursue a career in welding, and began taking classes at West Shore Community College . Although Rich had previously held odd jobs working for local farmers, his first real employment was at Master Muffler in Ludington. He loved the job because he got to work with his brother Brian. It would have been easy for the two best friends to let their work get away from them, but it never did. Instead, they worked so well together that they earned a reputation for doing an amount of work equal to five men.

Rich went on to work for Harsco, Inc. as a welder in the fabrication department, but it didn't take long for him to realize the potential he and his brother had as a team. Rich started his own portable welding business called Duggan's Welding and Fabrication. Brian helped him build his machinery and there were few projects that he couldn't make or weld. Not surprisingly, working with his brother, his exceptional work again won the brothers a favorable reputation - this time for being the best welders in Mason County . Of course, Rich and Brian made time for having fun too. They rode dirt bikes, fished on the PM River, went deer hunting, and fixed up an old '72 Ford Torino. Rich also liked to go mudding in his truck, or roller skating at Johnny's in Custer. It was one of his favorite places to relax and unwind. He needed it, especially since he kept a pretty hectic schedule. Between his business and the odd jobs he did - like snowplowing, and welding dump trucks - Rich was always moving.

The proudest moments of Rich's life came in 1987 and 1991, with the births of his daughter, Cassandra "Kaci", and his son, Justin. He couldn't have been more excited to make them part of his life. Everyday Rich would encourage his children to do whatever it was that they loved. It was truly a lesson taught by example. Rich always followed his own passion, competing with brother Brian in many Figure 8 and Demolition Derbies throughout the state. He became so skilled that he actually won the state championship at the Farwell Track in 1991. Though Rich held the title in derby cars, it was his brother Brian who became the king of stock cars. He took top honors almost every time they raced at Winston Raceway in Rothbury. No matter where they were, Rich and Brian were so involved in their one-on-one competition that they'd often be the last two demo cars on the track, competing with each other for the win.

In the late 1990s, Rich was introduced to a woman named Tammy Fisk by some of their mutual friends. It was love at first sight for them both. Rich and Tammy dated for a while, though they knew, straight away - even within the first week of meeting - that they wanted to be married. Best friends and soulmates, they had a simple, beautiful wedding ceremony at their home on May 22, 1999, which included Rich's two children as well as Tammy's daughter, Shawnee . Rich felt truly blessed and happy that they were all one, complete family.

With such a loving wife and children to share the holidays with, Christmas soon became Rich's favorite time of year. He loved watching Tammy and the kids open presents, and laugh, and not be afraid to enjoy themselves. Really, Rich liked any occasion to get the whole family together to have fun, whether it was opening Christmas presents, watching the Fourth of July fireworks from Buttersville Pier, or derby racing at Farwell Days over Labor Day weekend. Rich always made special time for his brother and father too. They would get together to build cars or race, and in 2004 they even took on the challenge of building wood stoves for their families. The three men had a way of working together in perfect rhythm - Rich and Brian being "the muscle," and their dad "the expertise."

As for music, Rich loved classic rock music. . .with a little heavy metal mixed in. Some of his favorite memories were taking the whole family to rock concerts, like 3 Doors Down or Motley Crew. He also loved going to NASCAR races with Tammy at the Michigan International Speedway, where they would always cheer for Dale Earnhardt Jr. When the weather turned cold, Rich would take Tammy and the entire family snowmobiling. He loved it. He and Justin had a special father/son adventure this past winter in the U.P., and they both had an unforgettable time. Rich loved spending time with his daughters Kaci and Shawnee, and was always sure to look out for them. The girls often had the privilege of riding with dad on his motorcycle - the beloved Harley. Rich had wanted one ever since he'd been able to drive. His pride and joy was his 100th anniversary edition Harley, which he rode to the 100th Anniversary Harley Celebration in Milwaukee in 2003.

Another of Rich's favorite activities was deer hunting and sharing it with his family. He was always the most excited when Tammy got a deer. Her success and enjoyment was all that mattered to Rich. He loved to brag about his family in any way, shape, or form to anyone who would listen. Rich was so proud of his wife, and especially his children - Kaci, Justin, and Shawnee . They were not only his family, but also, his life.

Richard Lee Duggan died suddenly from injuries sustained in an accident on Tuesday, September 13, 2005. He will be greatly missed by his wife Tammy, his children Cassandra Marie, Justin Lee, and Shawnee Katherine, his parents Ron and Donna Duggan of Custer, Tammy's parents Diane and Mike Gilbert of Free Soil, and John and Dee Fisk of Manistee, his bother Brian and Ida Mae Duggan of Custer, his grandparents Henry and Pearl Skow of Ludington, Tammy's grandparents Chet and Carol Gilbert of Free Soil, and Art Eddy of Manistee, his brothers and sisters-in-law Caleb, and Rick Fisk of Free Soil, Alisha, and Melanie Fisk of Manistee, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Rich at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 17 at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Custer. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Friday evening from 6-9 PM at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Tammy Duggan Trust Fund c/o Fifth Third Bank, Ludington. Donations will also be collected at Shop-N-Save Market in Ludington. Please visit Rich's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory for his family or sign the guestbook.