Richard Finch, Class of 1950

Former Grosse Pointe Farms resident Richard R. Finch, 81, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Holly Convalescent Center in Holly.

He was born April 20, 1928, in Detroit to Winifred and John Finch, and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan. He served his country in the Army Medical Corps at bases in Fort Riley, Kansas, and Japan during the Korean conflict.

Mr. Finch was employed for many years by Connecticut General Life Insurance Company serving as a manager in the group department and as an agent in the estate planning department.

He was an avid U of M fan and the maize and the blue song was the first song his children learned.

Mr. Finch is survived by his former wife, Barbara Fitzgerald Finch; children, Elise Finch (William) Sophiea, Mark Finch, Michael (Mariela) Finch and grandchildren, William Sophiea, Jeffrey Sophiea, and Zachary Finch.

He also is survived by his two brothers, John Finch and Tom (Sue) Finch.

A memorial gathering begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, at Chas, Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Americans Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, and Phi Delta Theta, University of Michigan, 1437 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Share a memory with the family at verheyden.org.

[Alumni Association note: Following the passing of his brother, Tom Finch ’62 Michigan Beta, sent the Alumni Association a $100 memorial contribution with a note that said, “Richard was very proud to be a part of the Big Blue and Phi Delta Theta.”]