Richard Peters

There are many things one can use to measure the success of a man including everything from material wealth, possessions, and grand accomplishments. When it came to Richard Peters, although he was a successful and accomplished businessman in his own right, what made him so extraordinary was his heart. Rich was passionate about many things throughout his life and it was with this passion that he whole-heartedly immersed himself into everything he did. He was a man of great integrity and honesty, two qualities that can be so hard to find these days. Rich was perhaps one of the last of a rare breed of men who believe that it is the content of one’s character that truly makes one great.

As the decade of the forties dawned, our country was still struggling to recover from the previous decade that was blanketed by the Great Depression. It was on October 4, 1940, that Thomas and Marge (Schultz) Peters were able to shift their focus to a joyous occasion in their family, however, as they welcomed their son, Richard, into their hearts and home. Rich, as he was most often called, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as one of six children in his family, which included siblings Bob, Roger, Tom, Pat, and Judy. Rich was raised in Schoolcraft where his parents both worked in order to support their family. In many ways, he experienced a typical upbringing for young boys of this generation, enjoying fishing with his father and playing sports with his four brothers. Rich was quite active in sports, in fact, playing football, baseball, and basketball. It was during his formative years that Rich established the strong work ethic that would follow him throughout the rest of his life. He did whatever he could to earn a little spending money including mowing lawns, baling hay, and other odd jobs as well. Rich attended local schools including Schoolcraft High School where he excelled in the three sports he loved playing since he was a young boy. He was such an outstanding athlete and baseball player that the Detroit Tigers gave him a tryout.

After graduating from high school in 1958, life took Rich down a few different paths. He married and was blessed with four children: Troy, Mechele, Lance, and Niki. Although this marriage ended in divorce, he was forever grateful for the children whom he loved deeply.

Throughout his life, work was an essential part of who Rich was. With his high school career behind him, he decided to get a job rather than attend college. For a few years, Rich worked for Sutherland Paper, but his heart always longed to work outside rather than in a factory. With that in mind, he secured employment as a manager of a local fertilizer company, American Oil. Rich later worked for another fertilizer company, City Services and in 1973, he was given the opportunity to purchase this company. Since that was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, Rich purchased the company and for the next 20 years, he owned and operated Schoolcraft Custom Farm Services. What made him successful in business was that he truly enjoyed both the work and the people he dealt with. Rich treated both his employees and customers with both honesty and fairness. Eventually, Rich got burned out from the daily grind that came along with the business aspect of the job, and he sold the business. This left him open to follow his dream of raising and training horses. Rich had been around horses for years and he had even owned several quarter horses through the years, but always had others train them. In order to turn this dream into a reality, Rich took 90 acres of land that he owned and built a house, a barn, and a racetrack and turned his attention to Standard Bred Horses.

Not to be forgotten during this time was Rich’s introduction to the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Her name was Sharon Hanel and they met while Rich was coaching a youth basketball team that her son Scott was a member of. They later got to know one another better through a local softball team that Rich sponsored. After dating for three years, they were united in marriage on October 4, 1983, in Las Vegas. Together Rich and Sharon shared a mutually fulfilling marriage, and Rich raised Scott like his own son. He always had a special place in his heart for children and was dedicated to enriching their lives. Rich was an avid follower of Schoolcraft sports teams and helped coach area Little League teams and junior professional basketball teams in the area. Never wanting to be in the spotlight, he preferred to stay behind the scenes while helping the kids develop their individual athletic abilities and watching them shine. When he was blessed with grandchildren, nothing could have thrilled Rich more. He loved spending time with them, especially playing ball.

Rich remained passionate about his horses, both raising and training them. This proved to be a labor of love and much more than a full-time job. Rich tirelessly worked seven days a week with countless long hours, but many rewards, too. He watched his horses run in numerous fairs around the state and when one particular mare, Warm Mink, became a two-time state champion, it was one of the happiest days of his life. Many people offered to purchase her, but Rich would have no part of it since it was never about money as far as he was concerned. Rich was a successful trainer who was not only passionate about his work, but devoted to the training process, which requires vast amounts of patience.

Richard Peters accomplished many things throughout his life, but he was a gentle and humble man who never wanted any attention drawn to himself. He preferred a simple life, treated everyone equally, and was always content with whatever life brought him. Rich was talkative, outgoing, and friendly, but what made him truly special was the way he was always looking for ways to help anyone in need. He greatly affected the lives of countless young people in his community and was so proud of his own children and grandchildren. Rich was a truly remarkable man who will be dearly missed.

Rich Peters died at his home on Friday, March 5, 2010. Rich’s family includes his wife Sharon, 5 children: Troy, Mechele (John Campos) Peters, Lance, Niki (Ben) Clark, and Scott (Stefanie) Hanel, 3 brothers: Bob (Christie), Roger, and Tom (Linda) a sister Pat (Bob) Laing and 14 grandchildren: Raymond, Benny III, Richard, Kobe, Baylee, Lyndsie, Jordon, Ariel, Gabby, Isabella, Rafael, Elena, Mary and Christina. Rich was preceded in death by his sister Judy Church and his parents. Visit with his family and friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Vicksburg, 409 S. Main (649-1697). Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 4:30 pm at the Schoolcraft Middle School gymnasium, 747 E. Clay Street. In honor of Rich, the family is asking those attending the visitation and service to wear casual attire, preferably blue jeans. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to Hospice Care of SW Michigan.