Obituary for Richard Arnold Staffeld
Richard Arnold Staffeld, 58, of Manistee, passed away unexpectedly on June 11, 2022. Richard was born in Manistee, Michigan on May 25, 1964, firstborn son of Jack and Priscilla (Wiggins) Staffeld.
Richard was well known as a “Jack of all Trades”. There was no problem that Richard couldn’t solve. Richard was a talented welder and steelworker and devoted over 30 years of his life to being a metal fabricator and general manager for Ubly Bean Knife Manufacturing in Manistee. Richard had a vast wealth of knowledge on many subjects including great lakes freighters, World War II history, and Star Trek. Richard was a music fanatic with many favorite bands including the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, the Who, AC/DC and many more.
Richard was an excellent cook and the family “grill master”. On any given Friday night, you could find Richard grilling on his deck and anyone that showed up was fed well. He was often asked to bring his famous sweet potatoes to family dinners. Richard was a fixture in the kitchen at Trinity Lutheran Church and cooked for just about any occasion, including countless Pancake Brunches and Sauerkraut Suppers. He also cooked for many Civic Club dinners, community fundraisers, and special event luncheons. Despite being well known for his cooking abilities, he will never live down dumping out the ham gravy at Easter dinner in 2005.
Richard was a dedicated leader of the Boy Scouts and led multiple troops including Cub Scout Pack 269 and Boy Scout Troop 180. Richard loved the outdoors. He would camp as often as he could, and in any season with his scouts, it was well known that every time he camped it would rain or snow. With each of his children he took a week-long canoe trip of the entire length of the Manistee River, making unforgettable memories for all three of them.
Richard was a best friend, and a father figure to many people and would do anything for anyone, most of his children’s friends even called him dad. He was the problem solver that everyone went to. You could always count on Richard to be there, even though he was famously late to any family event. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and had a tireless devotion to his Lord. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, on the Church Council, and in many other ways and capacities over the years at Trinity.
Richard is survived by his mother Priscilla Staffeld of Manistee; children Luke Staffeld and RuthAnne (Stormii McDonald) Staffeld of Manistee; Brothers Dennis (Kate Welsh) Staffeld of Manistee and Timothy (Stephanie Stafford) Staffeld of Marne, Michigan; Nephews Gregory (Cyrilla) Staffeld of Manistee and Isaac Staffeld of Marne; Nieces Angela Staffeld of Manistee and Jacklyn Staffeld of Van Buren, Michigan and Lynn Welsh of Traverse City, Michigan; and his best friend Lanny “Leap” Peterson; along with many aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and close friends.
Richard was predeceased by his father Jack Arnold Staffeld on November 13, 2015.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 4:00pm preceded by a visitation beginning at 2:00pm with Reverend Dennis Rahn officiating. A luncheon will take place directly after the funeral. The family will also receive friends on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, at Trinity from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Trinity Lutheran Church is Located at 420 Oak St. Manistee, MI 49660.
Those wishing to give a memorial in Richard’s honor may give to the Fundraising Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee.
The Oak Grove Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of arrangements.
Richard was well known as a “Jack of all Trades”. There was no problem that Richard couldn’t solve. Richard was a talented welder and steelworker and devoted over 30 years of his life to being a metal fabricator and general manager for Ubly Bean Knife Manufacturing in Manistee. Richard had a vast wealth of knowledge on many subjects including great lakes freighters, World War II history, and Star Trek. Richard was a music fanatic with many favorite bands including the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, the Who, AC/DC and many more.
Richard was an excellent cook and the family “grill master”. On any given Friday night, you could find Richard grilling on his deck and anyone that showed up was fed well. He was often asked to bring his famous sweet potatoes to family dinners. Richard was a fixture in the kitchen at Trinity Lutheran Church and cooked for just about any occasion, including countless Pancake Brunches and Sauerkraut Suppers. He also cooked for many Civic Club dinners, community fundraisers, and special event luncheons. Despite being well known for his cooking abilities, he will never live down dumping out the ham gravy at Easter dinner in 2005.
Richard was a dedicated leader of the Boy Scouts and led multiple troops including Cub Scout Pack 269 and Boy Scout Troop 180. Richard loved the outdoors. He would camp as often as he could, and in any season with his scouts, it was well known that every time he camped it would rain or snow. With each of his children he took a week-long canoe trip of the entire length of the Manistee River, making unforgettable memories for all three of them.
Richard was a best friend, and a father figure to many people and would do anything for anyone, most of his children’s friends even called him dad. He was the problem solver that everyone went to. You could always count on Richard to be there, even though he was famously late to any family event. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and had a tireless devotion to his Lord. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, on the Church Council, and in many other ways and capacities over the years at Trinity.
Richard is survived by his mother Priscilla Staffeld of Manistee; children Luke Staffeld and RuthAnne (Stormii McDonald) Staffeld of Manistee; Brothers Dennis (Kate Welsh) Staffeld of Manistee and Timothy (Stephanie Stafford) Staffeld of Marne, Michigan; Nephews Gregory (Cyrilla) Staffeld of Manistee and Isaac Staffeld of Marne; Nieces Angela Staffeld of Manistee and Jacklyn Staffeld of Van Buren, Michigan and Lynn Welsh of Traverse City, Michigan; and his best friend Lanny “Leap” Peterson; along with many aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and close friends.
Richard was predeceased by his father Jack Arnold Staffeld on November 13, 2015.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 4:00pm preceded by a visitation beginning at 2:00pm with Reverend Dennis Rahn officiating. A luncheon will take place directly after the funeral. The family will also receive friends on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, at Trinity from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Trinity Lutheran Church is Located at 420 Oak St. Manistee, MI 49660.
Those wishing to give a memorial in Richard’s honor may give to the Fundraising Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee.
The Oak Grove Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of arrangements.