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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Houghton – Richard Thomas (Dick) Dunnebacke passed away January 30, 2020, surrounded by his family. He resided at the Bluffs and was under the care of Portage Home Health Hospice.
He was born April 26, 1929 in Marquette, son of Martin and Myrtle Dunnebacke. He grew up on Presque Isle in Marquette and graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in 1947. He attended St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, graduating with a BA Philosophy in 1951 and Michigan Tech University with a BS Mechanical Engineering in 1957.
He married Dorothy Roy of Hancock at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church on September 30, 1961. He retired after a career with IBM Product Development Laboratory; Michigan Tech University: Placement Director, Public Relations Director, Assistant to the President, and Assistant Director of Michigan Tech Fund; and Executive Director of Operation Action UP. He served honorably in the US Navy, pilot training (Korean Conflict) and Battalion Commander, 1952-1954.
Dick pursued his love of flying by maintaining his private pilots’ license and played a key role in founding the first flight school at the Houghton County Airport. His community involvement consisted of distinguished leadership and dedicated service to Houghton County Airport Authority, Houghton-Hancock Joint Planning Commission, Copper Country Industrial Council, Rotary Club of Houghton, Copper Country Chamber of Commerce, Keweenaw Development Advisory Committee, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Midwest College Placement Association, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Knights of Columbus, Church Renovation at St. Ignatius Church, Theta Tau Fraternity Board member and building advisor, co-chair of Portage Township Library Promotion Committee, Portage Lake Hospice volunteer, Miscowaubik Club and charter founder of Coppertown, USA.
He enjoyed living on Portage Lake and taking saunas with family and friends, affectionately known as the Sauna Rats. Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers Martin John (Elaine) and Francis (Gayle), sister Thadea (John) Kronstedt, and his wife, Dorothy Dunnebacke. Surviving are his children, Richard (Kim) Dunnebacke and Lisa Dunnebacke (Jeffrey Lidicker) , as well as several nieces and nephews, and special friend Barbara Scally.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday February 4, 2020 at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton with Fr. John Martignon to celebrate. Summer burial will take place in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton. Friends may call on Monday February 3, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock and again on Tuesday from 10 am until 10:45 am at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the St. Ignatius Church Building Capital Campaign in the name of Richard Dunnebacke or Portage Home Health Hospice.
To view Dick’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Home have been assisting the family with the arrangements.
