Norman Richard “Dick” Cowper
Norman Richard “Dick” Cowper, 86, of Onaway, passed away peacefully Friday, March 30, 2018 after a long, and colorful life. Dick was born May 7, 1931 in Detroit to Norman and Edna (Rieger) Cowper.
Dick was raised on the family dairy farm on Purdy Road in Waverly Township and a graduate of Onaway High School. He moved downstate when he was 18 and took a job at Chrysler. Like many of his young friends, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed his basic training in San Antonio, Texas. Dick was a specialist with Microwave Radio Technology. He was stationed in Dusseldorf, Germany and also spent time serving in Tangiers and French Morocco. He participated in the Berlin Airlift and provided support for the Koren War. Following his deployment and duty overseas, he was assigned to work at the Pentagon, had top secret clearance, where he met his future wife Patricia “Patti” Abel. They were married on February 19, 1956 in Philadelphia.
He moved his new wife and eventual family to Ferndale where he went back to work for Chrysler for over 19 years. Dick and Patti then moved to Warren where they purchased the Coho Bar in Roseville, which they owned and operated for more than 10 years. During this time, Dick became an accomplished pilot and owned several airplanes. Piloting his plane, he would fly back to Onaway for weekend trips for the sucker run, deer season or family holidays.
Dick decided to move back north to Onaway in the early 1970s, where he purchased the Onaway Bar and Ellenberger’s Cabin’s on Black Lake, renaming it The Four Season’s Resort. He spent over 30 years running the bar and resort. He would head to Florida in the winter months where he had business interests with his sons.
In the late 1990s, he purchased the abandoned Harbor Light Bar on Black Lake which he redeveloped and turned into a rental property. He oversaw the everyday operations for several years and loved tending to the flowers on the canal. About the same time, he purchased the 211 Outpost with his daughter Sandie and rebuilt the cabins and store.
Eventually deciding to settle down a bit and enjoy retirement, Dick sold the Harbor Light, and Sandie took over the 211 Outpost. Not one to sit still, he always had a project going. He loved being in the woods whether cutting firewood for the store, or tinkering around on his tractor or skid steer. Dick was an avid sportsman and loved his dogs. You usually didn’t see Dick without his dogs with him. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, modifying campers and hitting the open road on an adventure. He had a green thumb and had beautiful gardens. He especially liked growing tomatoes, peppers and geraniums. He loved socializing and having a cold drink with family and friends and was a great cook. He had an amazingly quick wit and was a master debater. He will be especially missed by law enforcement, tax assessors and building inspectors. All of which adored seeing him.
Dick was promoted over time with honors for exemplary service to a 33rd Degree Mason. He was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5857 as well as the American Legion.
Surviving Dick are his children, Michael (Kathy) of Livonia, Sandra (Ronald) Rittner of Onaway, David (Dana) of Troy and Blake (Kathy) of Lakeland, Florida; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Dick also leaves siblings, Patricia Mounts of Mississippi, Barbara LaHaie of Onaway, David Cowper of Black Lake and Isabelle (Phil) Russell of Naples, Florida; as well as his faithful companion and service dog, Abby.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; a
Dick’s family received friends at the Chagnon Funeral Home Wednesday, April 4, until the time of the funeral service with the Rev. Trenton Wollberg officiating. Military honors by the Onaway VFW Post 5857 took place immediately before the funeral service. Dick’s final resting place will be at Waverly Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Dick to the Cheboygan County Humane Society; 1536 Hackleburg Rd., Cheboygan, MI 49721. Condolences may be shared with Dick’s family at www.chagnonfh.com.