Beloved by deceased wife of 56 years, Barbara Jane McLean Hacker. Survived by three daughters Pamela (Russ) Austin of Dublin, Ohio; Catherine (Joe) Phoenix of Boston, MA; Tonya (Ben) Kennedy of Atlanta, GA. Six grandchildren - Maggie Austin Kovalcik (Tim), Kenzie Austin, Maxine Phoenix, Tom Phoenix, Georgia Kennedy and Piper Kennedy. Two great grandchildren Charlie and Isabel Kovalcik. Brother-in-law Ed McLean (Diane) of Grand Rapids, MI and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Della Hacker, sister Barbara Baldwin and brother Ted Hacker.
A service for Dick will be held at Friendship Village of Dublin during the non-denominational church service on Sunday, March 12th at 2:30pm in the Muirfield Room. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 218 W. Ottawa Lansing, MI 48933 at 10:30am on Saturday, July 8th. Following the service the family would like everyone to join them at The Country Club of Lansing for lunch and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charitable Giving Fund at Friendship Village of Dublin or the Capital Region Community Foundation (Lansing).
He was born on July 12, 1932 in Lansing and lived there most of his life. He graduated Sexton High School 1951, attended Michigan State University (MSU), was called to duty during the Korean War and was assigned to the Army Signal Corps. He graduated from Olivet College in 1957 earning a degree in business and economics. He married Barbara Jane McLean on May 3, 1957. He spent his career working side-by-side with his father and brother in the family real estate business, the Edward G. Hacker Company. He was an incredible community contributor serving on boards and belonging to many organizations including Lansing Board of Realtors, St. Lawrence Hospital Board, Kiwanis Club of Lansing, Lansing Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Boys Club of Michigan, Lansing Community College Foundation, Capital Area United Way, President & Director Greater Lansing Home Builders Association, American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity Bonita Springs, FL. He also taught and lectured on real estate at MSU and the University of Michigan.
He lived an abundant life of faith, joy and love. He was a life long member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Lansing). He was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Bonita Springs) and while in Dublin he attended services at many of the local churches, including First Community, Upper Arlington Lutheran and St. Patrick's Episcopal. He served in many roles at these churches, but he was most proud of being a Stephen Minister.
He enjoyed playing golf and tennis at the Lansing Country Club and Pelican Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs. In retirement he enjoyed living in Bonita Springs with Barb for many years and watched endless sunsets at his summer vacation cottage on Lake Michigan at Epworth Heights in Ludington, MI. For the last nine years he's been living at Friendship Village of Dublin where he made so many special friends and was given wonderful care from all the HCS care providers the past two years. Thank you very much.
His fondest memories and happiest times were spent with his family walking the beach and watching sunsets on Lake Michigan and special family gatherings at Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI. Dick loved fishing on the "big lake", Alaska, Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico. He loved books and music, dancing with Barb, and was a lifelong MSU fan. He loved dogs and playing bocce ball and games at Friendship Village of Dublin. He had that special ability to make people feel good and laugh. Always a smile and kind word for everyone and with that had the ability to make people feel special. Like his mother before him, he did not know a stranger.
He will be missed.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18