Richard "Rick" Griffin

Sitting around a crackling campfire surrounded by his beloved family is where Rick Griffin loved to be. Although he treasured his Bible and St. Christopher Necklace, his grill and his beloved family, Rick’s greatest passion was for his faith. It is nearly impossible to summarize the kind of man that Rick was – he taught others so much about selfless love, humility, and compassion laced with healthy amounts of humor too. With faith as his cornerstone, Rick created a colorful mosaic of memories throughout his lifetime that will forever remain in the hearts of the countless people his tender touch had reached.

During the 1940s, our nation was very much shaped by WWII, which enveloped America for nearly four years, but there were many enjoyable things that affected the culture within our nation as well. The radio was a lifeline for many Americans, providing not only the news, but also great music from the Big Band era. People enjoyed watching Jackie Robinson play baseball, and the NBA was formed in 1949. It was also during this decade that Adam and Gracelyn (Winget) Griffin, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were pleased to announce the birth of their son, Richard, on August 17, 1946. Richard, or Rick, joined older brother Bill in the Griffin family which was rooted in the Catholic faith. His father worked as an inspector for Allison Transmission Factory and as a food inspector for Blanton Food Distributors while his mother was both a waitress and a homemaker. At times, Rick’s father would take Rick and his brother along on sales trips.

In many ways, Rick experienced a childhood that is quite typical for young boys. He enjoyed playing basketball, was involved in Little League, played football, and often went fishing in the early morning with his mother at nearby gravel pits. Rick attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary in Indianapolis, riding his bike with his brother five miles to school and always arrived by eight o’clock in order to serve as an altar boy. Rick was also a dedicated Boy Scout, earning his Eagle Scout badge when he was 13. His family was also active within the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Upon his graduation from Cathedral High in 1964, Rick went to Indiana State University where he met the young woman who would forever hold a special place in his heart. She was a fellow student in Dr. Neville’s poetry class and her name was Robyn Lay. She had a close group of girl friends who gave their approval for Rick to take Robyn out on a date. Their first date proved to be unforgettable as they took his Corvair convertible - which promptly broke down. The couple dated for a year and having fallen deeply in love, they were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 15, 1969. Robyn had taken a job with the school system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and so the newlyweds spent their honeymoon making the move in their Volkswagen bug with their dog, Shambie. Later, Rick went on to earn his MBA from Aquinas College in 1986.

Once in Grand Rapids, the couple settled into an apartment at the Regency Park Apartments, just down the hall from Robyn’s college roommates who would become their lifelong friends. Rick found a job with the City of Grand Rapids, initially in the waste water treatment plant, but later as a supervisor of cemeteries. The couple was soon blessed with the births of two daughters: Stephanie, in 1971, and Sarah, in 1974. Rick was a doting father and always affectionately called his girls “Kiddo.” For a time, they also fostered a young boy named Lloyd for two and-a-half years.

Their family made numerous precious memories together that will be forever treasured. They took many trips to Cedar Point, went camping with the Buss family, and even camped in Florida and out east. There were many fantastic times spent around the campfire and visiting family back home in Indianapolis. Every year at Christmas, Rick baked blueberry muffins and brought them to neighbors on Christmas morning, wearing a Santa hat. When his family grew to include grandchildren, Rick adored them as he did his own children and he babysat for them often. He also took his grandchildren on special trips or even just had them over to spend the night.

There were many things that Rick enjoyed when time allowed. He loved watching both the History and Travel Channels, and Food Network too. He was an excellent cook whose macaroni and cheese recipe was featured in the local newspaper, but he was also famous for his spaghetti sauce, muffins, and anything he made on the grill - anytime and in any season. Rick liked listening to the Beatles, the Moody Blues, and Big Band music. Rick loved to eat seafood and sip scotch. With a passion for fishing, he took trips to Canada to fish for walleye. He and Robyn also liked to return to Indianapolis to take in the events surrounding the Indy 500. Rick loved sports and proudly displayed his Indiana University, Colts, and Tigers flags. He and Robyn often enjoying listening to Ernie Harwell call Tigers games on the radio. Rick was very generous as well, volunteering at his church where he made egg rolls for the festival that his church held. He also donated time to the “Hoops” basketball team, the Knights of Columbus, and also coached his girls in softball.

Life turned in a new direction for Rick in April of 2001 when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Needing treatment in Detroit, Rick retired in 2002 following more than 30 years of service working for the City of Grand Rapids and his community. He and Robyn decided to take this time to live life to its fullest – traveling to many destinations including Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. Rick loved history and enjoyed visiting churches and cemeteries wherever his travels took him.

Rick Griffin was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life as evidenced by the legacy of faith and love he leaves behind. He was a caring friend, devoted family man, and a man of faith who lived his life with others in mind. Rick was understanding, protective, and a brave fighter when faced with the fight of his life, and his daughters proudly call themselves “Daddy’s Girls.” Rick embraced each day he was given and made it his own and will be so dearly missed by all those he leaves behind.

Rick S. Griffin died on August 4, 2009. Rick’s family includes his wife, Robyn; daughters, Stephanie (Mark) Oleksinski and Sarah (John) Kunter – Griffin; grandchildren, Dominic, Griffin, Gracie, and Addison; brother, Bill (Jani) Griffin; sister-in-law, Kim (Matt) Manka; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Holy Spirit Parish. Visit with Rick’s family and friends from 4-8 p.m. today with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shamut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW and on Friday for one hour prior to Mass at church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Gilda’s Club or Holy Spirit Educational Foundation.