Richard “Dick” Novacek
Richard “Dick” Novacek, 68, of Lakeside, Michigan died Sunday morning, January 1, 2012 at his home.
Dick was born January 13, 1943 in Michigan City, Indiana to Anton and Virginia (O’Donnohue) Novacek. He graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1961 and continued his education at the IBM College in Chicago. Dick was employed by the US Postal Service in Union Pier and then in New Buffalo for 38 years. He drove school bus for the New Buffalo Public Schools and also served on the School Board. He enjoyed sitting in his car at the beach, watching the boats go by. Dick always had fun with his classmates from the Class of ’61. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and was known to recycle cards to bring a smile to others. Dick was devoted to his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Pamela; children, Kimberly (William) Novacek-Herod of Lakeside and Richard Anton (Jennifer) Novacek II of Chicago; and his rat terrier, Marilyn Monroe. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Joseph Novacek and sister Daryl Sullivan.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Pobocik Funeral Home, Three Oaks with Mr. Garry Lange officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home with a Prayer Service at 8:00 pm Wednesday with Fr. David Kroczyk officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Michiana Humane Society, PO Box 8651, Michigan City, Indiana 46361 or to the Animal Lovers, PO Box 223, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128
To leave an online tribute, please visit www.pobocik.com.
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Very saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. Anyone who knew him will be also. He was a wonderful and true friend to me. So many great memories and so many laughs and sorrows too. Someday I hope to see him again and continue the adventures and laughs. Kim and Rick, my sincere and heartfelt condolences. You are both great people and loved your dad so much.
We are going to miss the most “fun” person we ever knew. He made us laugh whenever we were with him and he ALWAYS had a smile on his face. We will miss his birthday cards and wicked sense of humor. Kymmy, Rick, Pam, we offer our deepest condolences. We were so blessed just to know him and you.
Dick was the kind of friend everyone wishes they had. He was loyal, fun and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all. We have many good memories of Dick. We extend our sympathy to his family. Rest in peace Dick.
Dick was truly a caring friend, a loving person who will be greatly missed. I really enjoyed working with Dick over the years; there never was a dull moment. He was truly a “LEGEND” who I will never forget.
To Dick’s family my sincere sympathy to all of you. Dick was a very friendy and likable guy. Rest in peace Dick.
To Pam, Kim and Rick,
Dick was one of the most lovable persons I know. He will be missed by all. He always made you laugh and there was never a dull moment around him. I use to sort his mail in Union Pier when I worked there so we could just visit when he came in. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephie
I met Dick many years ago, when I lived in New Buffalo. I met him through his cousin, Nancy Garvey. Dick was a kind and caring person. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by all his family members.
Our condolenses to Dick’s whole family. Dick was always a friend and kept in touch through the years. He was my first boyfriend after entering New Buffalo High School from Lakeside school. He was kind to everyone and a very caring person. He will be missed.
Terry and Jerry Davis
Having grown up in New Buffalo, I knew Dick from my childhood days. I’ll always remember Dick as a very creative and loving soul. May he rest in peace.
Everyone always knew that when you were a friend to Dick that you had a friend forever. Condolenses to Dick’s family and to all who will miss him.
Dick was such a great friend to us and everyone he knew. Always happy and carred so deeply for his friends.We will miss him and all the laughs. Love you Kim and Rick,you are in our prayers and have our heartfelt sympathy.RIP
Rick & Kymmy, so sorry for your loss. Your dad was such a great guy. I’ll never forget him delivering our mail every day when I was a kid – always with a smile to brighten your day. May God comfort you during this time.
I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Dick. As his former classmate, I hadn’t been in touch with him until this past Spring.
He was on the committee for the ’61 Class Reunion. We were able to talk by phone several times and get reacquainted.
It was rewarding and an honor to get to know Dick again, and I’m glad I was able to see him in September.
I wish to extend my condolences to his family.
He shall live on within me as I remember him.
A pure joy!!!
I can’t think of anyone in the community who was better at putting a smile on anyone’s face? He was a special man.
Kym and Rick,
My heartfelt sympathy for you and your families. I will remember your dad and the good times we had growing up together next door and him carting us around:) He will truly be missed~love to you all, Laura (Springer) Davis and family
Dick was a man who made me smile….made me laugh and was always there for me! One of the nicest, kindest people that I’m honored to also call a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to Dick’s family.
My prayers and condolences go out to Dick’s family. Dick has been a friend since my family moved to New Buffalo in our sophomore year. Dick was an immediate friend and has stayed that way since then. I will miss that smile and welcome that was always there for everyone.
Going to miss the crazy and silly things we said to each other. My heart goes out to the family.
Pam, Kym and Rick,
Thinking of you and wishing we were closer to give you all hugs. Dick was a wonderful, fun person and we will remember him with many fond memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Linda Castle and David Briggs
I was so sad to hear of Dick’s passing; we worked together at the New Buffalo Post Office 20 yrs ago and we laughed and carried on every time we saw each other. I loved “Tricky Dicky” and always have the best memories of him; he will forever bring a smile to my face when I think of him; can any of us ask for anything better? I send my love to you Kymmy and Ricky too. Love Kimmy
Kimba and Rick,
Very sorry to hear about your dads passing. I know he was a great man, and a wonderful dad. He is no longer suffering and is in heaven making everybody laugh and smile up there. May you be at peace and know that you will see him again. Luv you!
Rhonda
There are very few people who go thru life with a truly caring and positive outlook. Dick was one of these rare people. He could always bring a smile and a ray of sunshine to anyone’s day. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with him—-he will be missed!! My sympathies to the family.
Dick was such a warm and friendly man. Although I only saw Dick a few times over the years, he always greeted me like a long, lost friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Our deepest sympathy is with all of Dick’s family. He was a great person and we will all miss him.
New buffalo and Union Pier will NEVER be the same…Dick, your joy and love of life will ALWAYS be carried by those who you constatnly made smile!
Rick and Family…
So sorry to hear of your loss my friend. Losing a parent is defintely not an easy experience. Your dad was always such a pleasant person and in my mind I can still remember his wave and smile as I’d go out to get the mail as a kid at my parents house. If he had time he’d stop and chat a while. He was always good to us as high school kids too and always had something funny to share. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I never knew a person who didn’t like your dad, Rick and Kymmy. He was a joy to be around, always called me “cuz” and had a genuine smile for everyone who worked with him and knew him. He will be sorely missed. Our loss is “heavens gain”. “Big Dick” will have them in stitches! Love to you all.
i am truly in shock. how can the world keep turning without Dick’s smiling face? i first met Dick while working at the NB Post Office and not a day went by without a laugh. Kymmy and Rick, are thoughts are with you.
To the family of Dick. Throughout the years when I returned to Michigan I have fond memories of my upbeat conversations with Dick when we would see one another. I graduated with David and we were distant cousins.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
I(we)have lost a dear friend. Over the years we spoke often and he never failed to brag about his children. I will miss him. He was my constant connection to what was happening in NB, and had a much better memory than do I. My thoughts are with his family.
We have the luck and privilege of being neighbors and friends of Dick, Kymmy and Bill. One of our favorite things to do is to wander over to Dick’s porch and sit outside daytime or night and talk, listen, laugh and tell stories while watching fireflies, or the seasons change… Dick was a wonderful and generous man, with a sweet streak a mile wide. We will miss his good humor and extraordinary kindness. We will not forget him and we will continue to be grateful to Kymmy and Bill who took such amazing care of him as he was burdened by ill health. He was a sweet man and he passed surrounded by the profound and lasting love of family and friends.
I speak for all my family when I say one of our childhood memories was “Dick, the mail man”…he was part of growing up in Union Pier. It’s nice when you think of someone and you can only remember them with a smile on their face–well, that would be Dick. Our prayers to his family.
Rick and Kymmy, I don’t know if you remember me, I was your Dad’s Postmaster for about 10 years in Union Pier. He was such a fun guy. We really enjoyed working together. He had a loving heart and loved to give people special gifts to make them smile. I remember him saying that he was so happy he could retire from the Postal Service and have free time to enjoy life more.He was also proud of working for the Postal Service and his Mom being Postmaster of Union Pier. He told me he practically grew up in that office. Everyone will miss him and his sense of humor.He was very proud of both of you, and talked about you all the time when we worked together.My condolences to you on your loss.
I have very fond memories of Dick. He was my friend, and he was so funny.He made me laugh, and his smile would always brighten your day.He was a kind and loving person. The world has lost a wonderful individual, but Heaven has gained another angel.I offer my deepest sympathy to his family.
Pam, Rick & Kymmy,
Dick and I danced at every school dance even the prom. We even danced on TV! We were best buddies, I remember Uncle Kelly’s milk truck, he would deliver all the kids home after the parties that Dick hosted. We always remained good friends as everyone he has met, they really are a friend for life. I have many pictures through the years of Dick. He was very pround of his family and they are just as dedicated to him, as you read in these tributes.
My deepest sympathy,
Former classmate & friend,
Barbara Forrester Geisler
I have alot of memories of Dick. He always made you laugh.He always had a smile on his face. Our hearts go out to the family. Rest in peace Dick.
Rick & Kimmy
May your father find comfort in the arms of the angels (we all know he would have something to retort that statement with)….but we know it to be the truth….your father touched so many lifes and brought so much joy to this world…how could he be any where else…he was an angel on earth! He was the father of my Kimmy when we were in school…& became a friend I always looked forward to joking with when I became an adult…Kimmy…you are the best daughter he could have dreamed of…the apple didn’t fall far from the tree!
(((HUGS)))
Jules
Kym & Rick,
We’re really going to miss your Father and know how much you will too. What a wonderful person to be around and I hope all the good memories will comfort you. Pam, I will never forget Dick’s face when he stood up clapping and cheering for you at the Miss NB pageant. Only a little kid, I thought, “Now that must be love.”
Kym and Rick,
As you know, your dad was our family friend, neighbor and mailman for many years. I started watching you guys Friday nights when he bowled before Rick was even 5 years old at your old place on Red Arrow. I have wonderful memories of all of you. He was so welcoming and fun that I remember just hanging out at your house to be with him. He will be missed.
As a former classmate I will always remember all the fun and good times we had. To the family I send my deepest symphay
I met Dickie through his sister Daryl. He always had a huge smile and laugh to greet me. He would always have time to chat. I will miss him as I miss his sister. Such a wonderful family. My sympathies to the family.
We can all agree, Dick had the gift to gab. He was an extrovert and fun to be around. Dick was the brother I never had, and I will miss him dearly. My prayers go out to Kym, Rick, Pam, and the dogs.