Richard C. Andresen's Obituary
Richard C. “Dick” Andresen, age 82, passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021 at the Poppen Residence. He was born February 3, 1939 in Reed City, MI to Ernest and Gertrude (Calkins) Andresen. His family moved to a farm in Scottville, MI where he was raised. He graduated from Scottville High School in 1957. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ferris State University in 1964. While at Ferris State University, he was the president of the Student Government, president of Delta Sigma Pi, and president of the Society for the Advancement of Management. After college, Dick served three years in the Peace Corps developing co-ops for farmers in East Africa. Many, many times, he said that two of the most meaningful things in his life happened as a result of his Peace Corps experience. The first was that he realized that he wanted to be self-employed and the second was that he met his wife, Lynn in Honolulu on his way home from Africa. They met in 1966, were married on August 24, 1968, and shared a remarkable and beautiful marriage for almost 53 years. Dick developed 29 Burger King Restaurants throughout the state. He also developed “Alibi” Nightclubs in Big Rapids, Mt. Pleasant, Marquette, and Grand Rapids, MI and in Stevens Point and Ames, IA. Dick was president of eight corporations and held memberships in the President’s Club of four state universities: Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, and Michigan State University. He bought and remodeled the Ferris Inn in Big Rapids in 1978 and founded Mt. Pleasant Oil and Gas in 1980. He was named alumni of the year from Ferris State University in 1984. Dick sold his Burger King Restaurants to four of his key employees in 1999. At that time, the company had over 2,300 employees. He was an avid sports fan, really loved boating and fishing and was an accomplished pilot of his private plane. But more importantly, he adored his family and was the BEST PaPa to his three granddaughters. Survivors include his loving wife, Lynn Andresen; his daughter, Holly (and husband, Bob) Schmitt; 3 granddaughters, Kylie, Kiersten, and Kaitlyn; 1 brother, Pember Andresen; and 1 sister, Carol Kolbe. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, June 7, 2021 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444 with Pastor Craig Cramblet officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior, 1-2PM Monday at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey, MI at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Great Lakes Salmon Initiative (www.glsalmon.org). Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
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