Richard T. Burlingame

Richard T. Burlingame, known affectionately to all as Rich, was a man whose wit could outshine the brightest star in the night sky. Born on the 24th of August, 1951, in the bustling city of Detroit, Rich's laughter-filled journey through life came to a peaceful close on the 28th of January, 2025, in the serene town of Deckerville. Rich's battle with cancer may have claimed his final days, but it never once dampened his irrepressible spirit. Rich's early days in Detroit and Harper Woods set the stage for a life lived with gusto. He graduated from Grosse Pointe High School South with honors so high, they're still trying to calculate just how summa that cum laude was. As a draftsman, Rich claimed his precision was so spot-on that he was the unsung hero behind the Apollo Moon landing, and who's to argue? The man had a knack for storytelling that would make you believe he'd taught Neil Armstrong the moonwalk dance, not just how to get there. During the Vietnam War, Rich served in the US Navy, and if you asked him, he might've winked and whispered that he was pretty sure he left as a Captain. His tales of service were as tall as they were entertaining, with just enough truth to keep you guessing. Post-Navy life saw Rich putting his drafting skills to work for various companies, but it was his role as a truck driver for Gielow's Pickles that truly showcased his talents. Rich would boast, with a twinkle in his eye, that he could zip from Lexington, MI to San Diego, CA in a mere ten hours, without losing a single pickle. And folks, those pickles were as cool and crisp as his sense of humor. When the road called him to retirement, Rich and his beloved wife Eileen set their sights on Port Sanilac, where the pace was slower, but Rich's stories never were. He'd regale anyone who'd listen with his driving adventures, each tale more embellished than the last. Ever the instructor at heart, he took to teaching truck driving, though it's safe to say his students learned as much about life and laughter as they did about 18-wheelers. Rich's dreams often took flight, soaring higher than his reality, but he'd be the first to tell you that his real life was so much sweeter. And when he wasn't spinning yarns or steering trucks, Rich could be found on the golf course, chasing that elusive hole-in-one. Whether he ever got it remains a mystery, but in classic Rich fashion, the stories of his near misses are the stuff of legend. Describing Rich is simple: he was funny. Not just chuckle-behind-your-hand funny, but full-on, tears-streaming-down-your-face funny. His humor was a gift that he shared generously, and it's that gift that will be his lasting legacy. Rich leaves behind a family who adored him: his wife Eileen, who matched his wit step for step and stated "We had so much fun together I thought we would leave this world laughing to death"; his two sons, Daniel and Steve, who inherited his knack for storytelling; six grandchildren, who will no doubt grow up with tales of their grandpa's antics; two sisters, June Crosson and Wendy Golski; and a brother, James, who together with several nieces and nephews, formed the audience for Rich's lifetime of performances. Preceded in death by his sister Lois Rich is surely now regaling her with new material in the great beyond. In the end, Rich Burlingame's life was like one of his well-traveled pickles: briny with experience, seasoned with laughter, and still crisp to the core. As we bid him farewell, let us do so with a smile, for that's how he would've wanted it—no tears, just the echo of laughter and the warmth of memories that will keep us chuckling for years to come. Safe travels, Captain Rich, and may your final journey be as joyous and joke-filled as the life you led. These were Rich's dreams but his reality far exceeded them. There will be a celebration of life  Mass for Richard on February 22,2025 at 10:00 AM  in St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica. Visitation will start at 9:30. Condolences may be sent online to apseyfuneralhome.net