Richard Balkwill, Sr.

Richard P. Balkwill Sr.

Richard Perry Balkwill Sr., 87, a lifelong resident of Port Huron, died Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

He was born March 19, 1924 in Port Huron to the late William A. and Lydia Balkwill. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Elizabeth Langolf, on January 15, 1944 in Port Huron. She died on December 3, 2010.

Richard graduated from Port Huron High School in 1941 and joined the U.S. Navy where he served his country during WWII and the Korean War as a Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class. He then worked as a Quality Inspector for Mueller Brass for 44 years until his retirement in 1986. Richard was active in scouting for many years and was past Scoutmaster of Troop 75. All three of his sons became Eagle Scouts. He enjoyed being out in the woods, was an active hunter and fisherman, and loved teaching his scouts how to survive in the wilderness. He was also a life member of the V.F.W. May O’Brien Post #8465. Richard truly had a heart of gold.

He is survived by three sons, Richard Jr. “Skip” (Shirley) Balkwill of Pennsylvania and Thomas (Kathy) Balkwill and William (Gail) Balkwill, all of Florida; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; his brother and best friend, William Balkwill; two sisters-in-law, Ruth DeJonge and Shirley Diller; and several dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynda Jean.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2011 in the Lakeside Cemetery Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Allied Veterans Cemetery Columbarium. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity. Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandallfuneralhome.com.