Richard G Bingham

Richard G. “Bing” Bingham, 87, passed away March 5th, 2024 at McLaren Hospital in Port Huron after a short illness. He was born July 20, 1936, in Hamilton, Ontario. He was the first born and beloved son to the late Charles A. (Fin) Bingham and Arlene J. (Day) Bingham. Bing’s wit, humor, and engaging personality touched the lives of many and his absence will be deeply felt.

He attended Central High School in Hamilton and was a 1954 graduate and multi-sport athlete. He moved to Sarnia, Ontario in 1957 and then the following year to Port Huron where he attended Saint Clair Community College to major in engineering. He was the creator of the first animated school mascot "The Skipper". 1959 was a big year for him; he married Patricia K. Oliver on November 7, 1959. That same year, he also began his government career working for the City of Port Huron in the engineering, building inspection, and planning departments. In 1961, he was hired by the St. Clair County Regional Planning Commission as a research technician, and in 1966 was named Executive Director. He also went on to become the Director of the Employment & Training Department and was the County's Federal Grants Coordinator. Bing and Pat were also thrilled to start their family around this same time when they welcomed their sons Ricky and Ronny.

Bing was a registered Professional Community Planner and was appointed to the State of Michigan Board of Registration by then Governor William Milliken. He served two terms, one as Vice Chairman. He was a member of the American Institute of Planners, Michigan Association of Planners, National Association of Planning Officials, National Association of Employment & Training Directors, and the National Association of Federal Grants Coordinators where he served one term as President.

The next chapter of his life began to unfold in 1982 when he moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas to begin his career in the commercial insurance business with Wausau Insurance Companies. Following his retirement at Wausau, he accepted the role of Senior Account Executive at Meadors, Adams & Lee, one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Arkansas. Along with his partner, Roberts Lee, they developed the largest book of business in the agency. After a second successful career where he was recognized for outstanding sales leadership at the regional and national levels, he officially retired in April of 2006 and moved back to Port Huron to be nearer to his family.

He loved sports, both as a player and coach. He coached his sons in minor league hockey in Port Huron for over 10 years. During those years, of his many teams, three won state titles. He was one of the first coaches to achieve this accomplishment. His aptitude as a coach touched the lives all those who crossed his path in the arena, and he was inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. He was fortunate enough to coach many players who went on to play at college and professional levels. Bing was also an avid golfer and was a member of Willow Ridge Golf Club.

Bing was also a master at telling jokes and loved to entertain people. In Little Rock, he often threw lavish and enormous parties, where you could always find him on stage emceeing and providing lots of laughs. Bringing people together for a good time was one of his specialties, and he always lived life to the fullest.

Because of the pride he took in what he did, where he worked, and who he worked with, Bing was asked to travel intermittently back to Little Rock the final two years before his passing to mentor within the insurance company he worked hard to help build.

He was preceded in death by Patricia, his wife of over 60 years; parents, Charles and Arlene Bingham; in-laws, William and Geraldine Oliver; and brothers-in-law, Bill Oliver and Rick McEwen.

He is survived and loved deeply by his sons, Rick (Ronda) and Ron (Kerriann) Bingham; grandchildren, McKale, Noehl, Logan and Brendan; great- granddaughter, Emma; siblings, Judy Brandon, Jane (Joe) Sicurella, Nancy (Norm) Adie, and David Bingham; nephews and nieces, Charlie Bingham, Billy McEwen, Jeff McEwen, Andy Oliver, Jodi Coghlin, Jenny Uka and Sasha Sicurella; and sister-in-law, Nan Oliver.

Most importantly, Bing was known for helping other people by believing in them, and in turn giving them the ability to believe in themselves.

In true Bing fashion, his family will receive friends and share stories, memories and refreshments from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, March, 9, 2024 at Bootleggers Axe Co. in downtown Port Huron.

Memorials are suggested to the Port Huron Minor Hockey Association.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com