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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Richard A. Harrer, 72, a resident of Eagle Harbor Twp. went home to be with his Lord on Friday August 14, 2020 at the Canal View-Houghton County.He was born on June 24, 1948 in Chicago to Evelyn Harrer, and George Noffke and was raised by Richard W. Diesterheft. He attended the local schools in Skokie, Illinois. Following DeVry University in Chicago, Rich enlisted with the United States Navy Reserves, where he was called up and served in Vietnam, in 1969-1970 On November 14, 1970, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Exline in McHenry, Illinois.
Rich worked for Underwriters Laboratories in Northbrook, Illinois for 15 years, he then went on to work for Teledyne Post in Barrington, Illinois in maintenance of machines. Together him and Bonnie lived in Mundelein, Illinois where they raised their son, Doug. Often times they would vacation to Copper Harbor, and they fell in love with the area. When Teledyne Post closed in 1991, he and Bonnie moved to Eagle Harbor Twp. Together they owned and ran Country Lane Bakery for 10 years in Copper Harbor before he began working for Grant Township retiring as Superintendent of Copper Harbor Water, Sewer and Parks after nearly 20 years of dedicated service. After retiring from Grant Township, Rich stayed active in his community serving as a trustee for Eagle Harbor Township, and was on the board for Bethany Lutheran Church of the Keweenaw, serving as a representative for Shepherd of the Sea Chapel.
Rich was a history buff a voracious reader and an avid gardener, which ran in his family. In 2017 he and Bonnie went to Germany and Poland to explore his family farms. He was a Lionel Train enthusiast. Rich loved toys and never wanted to lose his childhood memories of fun and play. He loved to shoot his guns and along with his son belonged to the Calumet Keweenaw Sports Club.
He was a devote Christian and was very involved in his church. He was also a huge advocate for Vietnam Veterans and helping his fellow Vets get the assistance they needed at the Vet Center in Houghton, Mi.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and step father.
He is survived by:
His wife: Bonnie of Eagle Harbor Twp.
His son: Doug Harrer (Amy) Longpre-Harrer of Calumet
His granddaughters: Sadie Longpre-Harrer and Maddie Longpre-Harrer
His cousin: Sue Schmidt of Johnsburg, Illinois
His step siblings:Marilee Cederland of Wheeling, Illinois
Shirlee Schneider of Cave Creek, Arizona
Richard “Rick” Diesterheft of Libertyville, Illinois
His in- law siblings: Linda, Glenn, Laura, and Mark
Along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at the Calvary Cemetery on Friday August 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Larry Malloy to officiate.
The family is requesting to please dress casually and bring a chair for you to sit in. Please observe social distancing while in the cemetery.
In Lieu of expressions of sympathy, the family is requesting donations be sent to: UP Honor Flight; 7480 J Road, Gladstone, MI 49837; or Shepherd of the Sea Chapel, 1083 Gratiot Street, Copper Harbor, MI 49918.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
