Rick Wagner

With a journey that spanned seven decades of grief and joy, plenty and want, war and peace, Richard Wagner truly understood the secret to a life well lived. He was a pillar of strength in his family and his community, no matter the circumstances. More than anything, Rick cherished spending time with his loved ones. His unwavering work ethic allowed him to be a provider for those who depended on him, and his servant’s heart left an impact on everyone around him. Dearly loved, Rick will be forever missed.

The mid 1950s are among some of the most influential years in the history of the United States. Following the end of the Korean Conflict overseas, the historical civil rights movement was in full swing. Popular TV shows such as “I Love Lucy” and “Father Knows Best,” burst onto the scene, bringing entertainment and laughter into every home. It was during this exciting time that Andrew and Selma (Derstein) Wagner of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were so happy to announce the arrival of their third child, Richard Andrew. Born on April 14 of 1955, Rick joined his two older sisters, Ruth and Kathy, in the Wagner family. He soon became an older brother to David as well.

Rick enjoyed a typical childhood of his generation in many ways. He was raised in Walker and grew up attending Fairview Reformed Church with his family. Rick’s father, Andrew, worked for Rose Patch & Label Company as a machinist while his mother, Selma, did clerical work. As a boy, Rick liked fishing and riding the minibikes his dad built for him. He loved lake life, and the family cottage on Emerald Lake in Newaygo was the backdrop for many of Rick’s fondest childhood memories. From a young age, he was an avid reader. Rick would check out a Hardy Boys’ book every week at church and devour it in a single afternoon.

Throughout his school years, Rick attended Westside Christian School and later Kenowa Hills High School. He was an excellent student, and academic success came fairly easy to him. As a teenager, Rick held a variety of part-time jobs. He worked at Russ and Ron Devries service station and car wash, bagged groceries at Family Foods, and picked cherries at a local orchard.

After graduating from Kenowa Hills in 1973, Rick pursued further education and completed a tool and die apprenticeship through Grand Rapids Junior College. He went on to build a 50 year career for himself, working for several companies including ArtiFlex and AutoDie Manufacturing. Rick was very mechanically skilled and could fix just about anything. He always had projects going. Rick and his brother, Dave, rebuilt an old snowmobile that they enjoyed taking out for a ride. Rick acquired and remodeled the family cottage as well, turning it into his primary home.

Of all the things Rick loved in life, his family was his greatest treasure. He was overjoyed to become a father to his two daughters, Ashley and Alyssa. Rick thrived in his role as a hardworking father, and he instilled in his girls his love for reading. The family often spent weekends and summers at their Sylvan Lake cottage in Newaygo, where they enjoyed boating, skiing, and fishing. Later in life, Rick was thrilled to welcome his grandchildren, Stella, Arthur, and Nora, into his arms.

Rick was blessed to find love with Nancy, the woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. The two first met through messaging on Facebook, as their daughters were friends. Rick and Nancy began dating and soon became an official couple. Over the next six and a half years of dating, their connection only grew, and they fell head over heels in love. Rick married Nancy on August 20, 2022, at Loomis Lodge in Newaygo. After a reception, they enjoyed a honeymoon to Hawaii with Nancy’s cousins, Ali and Larry. Nancy was Rick’s perfect match, and the two were inseparable through all of the ups and downs of life. Rick was Nancy’s source of strength as she fought breast cancer, and he leaned on Nancy’s support during his battle with lymphoma.

Perhaps the greatest of Rick’s lifelong passions was his love for motorcycles. His first motorcycle was a 1965 Suzuki 50, and he soon bought a Yamaha 185 twin cylinder Third and a 1968 Yamaha 250 Enduro. Rick also enjoyed racing his 1973 Yamaha 360. He preferred his Honda Goldwing above all else, and he loved riding with the Dilley Wacker’s motorcycle club.

In his free time, Rick had many hobbies to keep him busy. He first got involved in karate as a way to encourage more discipline in his family, but he stuck with it and worked his way up to becoming a 5th degree black belt. Rick trained and competed at Standale Karate, and he loved participating in classes and interacting with the kids. He was a proud Eagle member in White Cloud. Rick would eat anything Nancy made for him. He enjoyed rock, jazz, and blues music, and his record collection was one of his most prized possessions.

As family and friends will certainly attest, Richard Wagner truly made the most of every moment he was given. He was a shining example of kindness and generosity. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Rick always held his loved ones close. His sense of humor and jokester personality could light up a room, and no one remained a stranger for long. Although he is already so dearly missed, Rick leaves behind a wonderful legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Richard Andrew Wagner, 70, passed away December 5, 2025 after an extended illness with his loving family at his side. Rick was born April 14, 1955 in Grand Rapids, to the late Andrew and Selma (Derstein) Wagner. He was a tool and die maker for over 50 years, employed with ArtiFlex and AutoDie Manufacturing. Rick was a 5th Degree Blackbelt and instructor at Standale Karate and a proud member of the Dilley Wacker’s motorcycle club. Above all else Rick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Ashley (Kevin) Bush, and Alyssa (Jacob Heiliger) Wagner; step-daughter, Cierra (Morganne) Hubbell; grandchildren, Stella, Arthur and Nora. He is also survived by his siblings, Ruth (Dennis) Stilley, Kathy (Gary) VanderWeide, David (Karen) Wagner; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and Rick’s “best buddy” Cooper. A visitation is planned for Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. A memorial service will be held Friday, December 12, 2025 at 11 AM at Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel. Friends may visit with family beginning at 10 AM at the funeral home. According to Rick’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorials are being suggested for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. To read more of Rick’s Life Story, to leave a memory, or sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.