Richard Loetz, 93

Richard F. Loetz, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away on September 14, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born July 14, 1921 in Gutzkow, Germany son of the late Hans Carl and Emma (Peters) Loetz.
Richard came to the United States at the age of two and most of his life was lived in Sturgis. He was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1939 and continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering.
He retired in 1972 from the Hallicrafters Company in Chicago. He also worked at Magnavox in Fort Wayne, and Motorola in Chicago.
Richard was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII earning the rank of Electronic Technicians Mate First Class and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, American Area Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal with 1 star.
He enjoyed bicycling, was an avid reader with an extensive library and was involved in Boy Scouting in his younger years.
Richard is survived by two brothers: Siegfried Loetz of Sturgis and Donald Loetz of Marco Island, Florida; sister-in-law: Eugenia Loetz of Lompoc, California.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother: Hans Louis Loetz.
In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. Private memorial services and burial of the ashes in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis will take place at a later date.
The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Loetz’s memory consider the charity of one’s choice.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.