Richard "Dick" M. Parish

Long time area educator Richard “Dick” M. Parish died May 1, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital, at the age of 92. Dick was born on September 19, 1929, to Vincent and Lily Parish. He lived in Superior and Lake Nebagamon his entire life.

Dick was a 1948 graduate of Superior Central High School. He joined the Naval Reserve while he was a senior in high school and spent weekends training in the Reserve Unit in Duluth. He served in the Naval Reserve from September 1947 to September 1955. He was active duty from 1952-1954, stationed on the USS Bryce Canyon during which time he made 2 trips to Japan.

On June 2, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Drolson, and would have celebrated 71 years of marriage next month.

Following his discharge from the Navy in 1954, he and Janice moved to Menominee so he could attend UW-Stout where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in Industrial Education. He continued his education at UWS where he obtained a Master’s Degree in 1965 in Educational Administration.

Dick began teaching machine shop and drafting at Superior Vocational School in 1959. His years as a teacher were an important highlight of his career. Former students would often stop to see him, thanking him when they got a job. He served as the District Administrative Assistant from 1967-1969. In 1969 he was appointed Administrator of the school where he served in that capacity until 1990, when he retired after a 31-year career at WITC. He was also named Boss of the Year by the Superior Jaycees in 1976.

Over the years he was an active member of numerous civic organizations including the Optimist’s, Kiwanis, Elks, and the YMCA Board of Directors. He was a 50-year member of the AAD Shrine Temple and a 60-year member of the Fraternal Order of Masons. He was also a member of the Shriner’s Pipe and Drums Corps where he taught himself to play the bagpipes, much to the dismay of his family.

After retirement Dick and Janice were fortunate to be able to spend 27 winters in Sun City, AZ with many family and friends from Superior and Lake Nebagamon. While there he volunteered for 12 years with Habitat for Humanity. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight in 2013.

He was a former member of 1st Presbyterian Church in Superior, Lake Nebagamon Presbyterian Church, and is a current member of United Presbyterian Church in Superior. He often provided maintenance and upkeep services to the Lake Nebagamon church whenever called upon.

Hobbies and interests included trap shooting, hunting, lake fishing and golf. For many years he returned from Arizona early so he could make maple syrup. His favorite hobby was working with wood in his workshop, where he built numerous pieces of furniture; nightstands, hope chests, jewelry boxes, bookshelves, benches to name a few. He also built a canoe and a 16 ft boat that he was able to take fishing on Lake Superior. When he was in his late 70’s he got his first computer and taught himself how to use it. He was well read and could discuss any news or world event, right up until his final days.

One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed attending the musical and sporting events of his children and grandchildren, including hockey, football, gymnastics, and swimming.

Survivors include Janice, his wife of 70 years, daughters Renee (Gary) Rivord and Pam (Ken) Mertz; grandchildren Jessica (Anthony) Aukamp, Jeremy (Maureen) Rivord, Luke (Lindsay) Mertz, Kendra (Chris) Rogers, and 7 great-granddaughters, Charlotte, Alexandra, Colette, Maelyn, Eleanor, Joslyn, and Carmen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Lily, and his seven siblings: Harry, Lois, Dorothy, Bob, Fritz, Tom, and Glenn.

Services will be conducted at United Presbyterian Church, 228 N. 28th Street, by Pastor Brett Foote on Tuesday, May 10. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with funeral services at 11:00 am, followed by lunch. Private interment for family will be held at Lake Nebagamon Cemetery.

Should friends desire Memorials may be made to the Richard M. and Janice M. Parish Scholarship Program at Northwood Technical College, formerly WITC. A scholarship is given every year to a student in the Nursing Program at the College. Memorials may also be sent to United Presbyterian Church.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street in Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.