Richard E. Ahrens' Obituary
CMDR Richard Edward Ahrens (USCG, RET), age 85, went to be with his Lord on December 4, 2017. He was born May 10, 1932 in Chicago, Il to William Henry and Marguirite Stelling Ahrens and has resided in Muskegon since 1976. Dick was a faithful Cubs fan, and always said, “once a Cubs fan, always a Cubs fan”. He was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church. Dick served 30 years in the U. S. Coast Guard, retiring as Commander. The first 12 years he served as an enlisted man rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He then entered Officer Candidates School and was commissioned an Ensign at Yorktown, VA; and retired in 1977 as a Commander, at San Francisco, CA. Dick served in Vietnam; and as the first Group Commander of Muskegon Coast Guard Station (which later became Group Grand Haven), 1971-73. Prior to that he served aboard four U.S. Coast Guard vessels, the Sundew (USCG Class C, Seagoing Buoy Tender), the Tupelo (180’ USCG Class A, Seagoing Buoy Tender) and the Bramble (180’ USCG Buoy Tender, RET). He also served aboard The Hollyhock (175’ USCG Buoy Tender serving the Great Lakes), the second time as Commanding Officer. Dick also served as the All State Commander of VFW Post #8846, and was a member of the American Legion. On September 1, 1984 Dick married Carolyn Ann Himelberger Hoover; and they combined their families. Family meant everything to Dick. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and by their 6 children, Patricia Ann (Bill) Russell of Whitehall, Annette Lynn (Terry) Tetzlaff of North Muskegon, Ty Hoover, Richard Thomas (Jody) Ahrens of Whitehall, Brian (Mason) Hoover of Milford, NH and Julie (Joe) McKeever of Allegan; 14 grandchildren, Christine (Michael) Krampe, Karen Spoelman, Michael (Jaime) Spoelman, Jeffrey (Maria) Tetzlaff, Jamie (Bryan) Rust, Tommy (Andrea) Hoover, Tracy (Eric) Miller, Brienne (Eric) Eisen, Renee Tetzlaff, Bethany Ahrens, Kelly Hoover, Steven McKeever, David McKeever, Logan Hoover; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Carole Ann (Lou, dec’d) DePinto of Sanford, FL; several nieces and nephews, Dick was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marguirite Ahrens, his grandson, Richie Ahrens and brother, William Dale Ahrens. The funeral service will be Saturday, December 9, at 11:00 AM at Calvin Christian Reformed Church (973 W. Norton Ave.) with Pastors Mark Milkamp and Jeff Boersma officiating. VISITATION with Dick’s family will be from 5-7 PM Friday evening at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100, and 1 hour prior to the service at church. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Ahrens may be made to the Hearts and Hands ministry at Calvin Church.
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