Richard Allen Capek Sr.'s Obituary
Richard Allen Capek, Sr., age 92, of Spring Lake, Michigan, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. He was born on September 28,1932, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Otto Victor Capek, Sr. and Mildred Ann (Anderle) Capek. Richard attended and graduated from Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois in 1950. He also attended Morton Junior College, for two years, and then attended and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana in 1954. Stationed in Germany, he served in the United States Army in the Korean War. Richard met and dated Anne Catherine Murphy after high school and while they were in college. They married on December 7, 1954.
Richard worked as a Mechanical Engineer, Professional Engineer (P.E.) for International Harvester, Teledyne Continental Motors, and retired from General Dynamics in Muskegon, Michigan. He returned to work at the age of 70 and worked for General Dynamics in North Africa, and in Casa Blanca, Morocco for two additional years. Richard and Anne and family moved to Michigan in 1969 and moved to Sparta MI in 1975 and bought a 100-acre apple orchard that they farmed for 12 seasons. Richard and Anne moved to Spring Lake in 1984 and lived there and wintered in Tucson Arizona for 30 years. They spent the past 3 winters in Florida. Richard and Anne loved to travel and have done that extensively for the past 40 years plus. Richard and Anne have been Ministers of the Eucharist, Catechism Teachers, Marriage Counselors, led Youth Groups and many other groups over the years in the Catholic Church. They raised and loved their family and enjoyed annual picnics and holiday dinners with as many as they could gather.
Richard is survived by his wife, Anne; and his children, Jane Capek-Myers, Richard Capek, Jr. (Ann), Stephen Capek (Janice), Carol Capek (Greg), Ellen VanderWel (Dennis); 18 grandchildren; and 25 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Ray (MaryAnn Kelley), and his sister-in-law, Rochelle Murphy Joseph, along with many cousins and nieces and nephews on both sides of his family.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, and in-laws, as well his daughter, and son-in-law, Mary Capek-Charrette and Michael Charrette; his son, and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Jill (Butler) Capek, daughter-in-law, Pam (McGregor) Capek, son-in-law, Timothy Potes, his brother, Otto Capek Jr., his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on the Murphy side, and great grandson, Lucas Nuppnau.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. William Vander Werff as celebrant. Friends may meet the family from 5 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, at The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 with a scripture service and time of sharing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic School are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at https://www.sytsemafh.com.
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