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Richard "Dick" Best
Born: 2/1/1925
Died: 6/3/2021
Age: 96
Community: Flushing, MI
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On June 3, 2021, the world lost another member of The Greatest Generation. Richard (Dick) Best, son of Lynn Best and Fern Hewitt Best, was born on February 1, 1925, in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in the Civic Park neighborhood, and attended Longfellow Elementary, where he was crowned marble champion. He graduated from Flint Central High School in 1943. Upon graduation he enlisted in The Army Aircorps and became a navigator on a B-24 Liberator in the Eighth Airforce. He completed 32 successful missions over Europe, earning various medals, including the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. First Lt. Richard H. Best was honorably discharged in 1945. After his military service ended, Dick attended Michigan State University and then Cleveland-Marshall Law School. While attending law school, he worked for General Motors, and there met the love of his life, Shirley Woidke. Dick and Shirley were married in 1951. Together they raised six exceptional children. Dick was an executive at GM for 30 years (he did not like it much) and retired in 1982. He enjoyed retirement much more, earning a pension for 40 years. He won. During his lengthy retirement, Dick returned to law, working as a mediator, writing briefs, and serving on the Genesee County Jury Board. But, Dick landed his dream job when he began working at King Par.
Dick had a lifelong love of athletic pursuits. His children do not recall a time when he did not exercise daily, whether it be Jack LaLane fitness bands, Canadian Royal Air Force Academy calisthenics, or as a Nautilus instructor at the YMCA, where he worked out regularly until he was 90 years old. He was one of Flint’s elite bowlers throughout his adult life, but his greatest joy was found on the golf course. For over thirty years Dick, along with his sons and a cadre of lifelong friends, made annual spring trips to Callaway Gardens, and later to Jekyll Island. The final excursion was made in 2019. It took 80 years, but Dick finally got his first hole-in-one on July 20, 2016. He said the ace was the highlight of his golfing career.
From Broadway musicals, to country crooners, to Latin jazz and even Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon, Dick was a lover of music. However, he did not like Neil Young or The Doors. At all. He was into audio components and sound quality long before it was cool, even making his own stereo system. His love of music was passed on to his children and grandchildren. Truly a Renaissance man, Dick had an artistic bent, creating magnificent stained glass objects d’art.
Not one to shy away from controversy, Dick was equally adept at calling BS for what it was, as he was for writing thoughtful and, at times, withering letters to editors and CEOs to make a point. He had strong opinions but was fair minded. The dining room table was often the site of rousing family debates which shall be missed.
Shirley and Dick were married for 65 years. She preceded him in death in 2016. Also preceding him in death were his mother and father; brother, John Best, M.D.; son-in-law, Allan Cislo; and great-grandson, Mateo Baiza. Leaving to cherish his memory are his six exceptional children, Pam (Tom Schraw) Cislo, Mark (Anne Landgraf) Best, Tom (Lynnette Grabiel) Best, Betsy (Kevin McLearn) Best, Amy (Kevin) Troyer, and Mary Ann Vergith; as well as 14 remarkable grandchildren and 12 stellar great-grandchildren; also his magnificent and beloved cat, Blossom.
Our father lived by these words, written on a note, taped to his golf cabinet:
“Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own”.
-Adam Lindsay Gordon
Rest well Dad. We’ll see you on the other side.
There will be a gathering of family and friends honoring Dick’s life on Thursday, June 10, from 4-8 p.m. at Rossell Funeral Home, 307 East Main Street, Flushing, Michigan. Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Richard’s name can be made to your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
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6/10/2021 |
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4:00 PM |
| There will be a gathering of family and friends honoring Dick’s life on Thursday, June 10, from 4-8 p.m. at Rossell Funeral Home, 307 East Main Street, Flushing, Michigan. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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6/10/2021 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Rossell Funeral Home
307 E Main
Flushing, MI 48433Get a Map to this location...
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