Richard "Dick" Wylie Pitcher

TECUMSEH- Richard “Dick” Wylie Pitcher, age 85, of Tecumseh, MI, passed away peacefully Monday evening, August 17, 2026, at home surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Dick was born on January 20, 1941, in Ypsilanti, MI, the oldest child of Wylie and Shirley (Vorce) Pitcher’s three children. Dick grew up in Belleville, and graduated from Belleville High School. He stayed close to home, attending the University of Michigan where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. On August 21, 1965, Dick married Judy Dever in Ann Arbor, Michigan; they were five days shy of celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary at his passing. They built a beautiful life together, which grew to include two daughters and three grandchildren. Dick and Judy lived the majority of their life together in Ann Arbor, moving to Tecumseh, Michigan in 2004 to live near their grandchildren. Dick worked at the University of Michigan for 35 years as the Associate Director of Intramural Sports. He also taught classes within the School of Kinesiology. In his final years at Michigan, he served as the Director of the U of M Tennis Center. Dick was a man of many interests and talents. In his younger days, Dick was quite the athlete, playing basketball in high school and briefly in college. He was introduced to the game of paddleball in college and was hooked. Dick loved teaching and encouraging others to try the sport. He modified and sold Marcraft paddleball paddles in his basement for years until Marcraft bought the rights to produce and sell the “Pitcher Paddle”. In 1987, he wrote and published the official paddleball rulebook, Paddleball: the 4Wall Game. Dick was a lifelong Michigan sports fan, cheering on his Tigers, Lions and Wolverines. Dick was an avid golfer; he achieved three “holes in one” over his golfing career. He and Judy brought clubs on their travels and played courses across the country. Dick was a longtime member of the Ann Arbor North Kiwanis Club. He proudly served multiple terms as the club’s president, and continued to attend weekly meetings until his death. As a lifelong french horn and guitar player, Dick joined many local orchestras, bands, and theatre pits. He was a talented musician, always encouraging others to hone their talents and add music to their lives. His grandsons both followed his lead as musicians. While no longer a pipe-smoker himself, Dick loved collecting tobacco pipes. His later years were spent traveling with Judy to antique stores, flea markets and estate sales from Colorado to New York for pipes. He would refurbish and sell them on eBay, totaling over 10,000 sales. Dick had an expansive knowledge of the Civil War with a book collection to prove it. As an author himself, Dick had researched his great grandfather’s Civil War regiment, the 112th New York Volunteers, and was writing a book, which remains unfinished at his passing. Dick loved the time spent at the family’s off grid camp on Lake Matinenda in Ontario, Canada. He hosted annual fishing trips for his many friends. He fished, swam, rock climbed, explored, and played games with his children and grandchildren, instilling in them a love of the area and all it offers. Even with all of Dick’s interests and hobbies, the thing that gave him the most joy was spending time with his three grandchildren. Teaching, encouraging, and watching them grow was a source of immense pride. He loved his family very much and will be deeply missed. Richard is survived by his wife, Judy, his children, Elizabeth Pitcher of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Deborah (Steve) Dillon of Tecumseh, Michigan; grandchildren, Joseph Rupprecht, Zachary Dillon and Morgan Dillon. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Thomas and Janet. Following his wishes, cremation will take place and he will be interred in a private family celebration at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Richard’s honor may be made to St.Jude’s, Hospice of Lenawee or a charity that is of importance to you. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Richard "Dick" Wylie Pitcher

January 20, 1941 - August 17, 2026