Richard Lee ‘Duff’ Meyer

Duff was born April 14, 1949, at Pontiac General Hospital, in Pontiac, Michigan, a son of William and Dorothy (Burns) Meyer. He lived in Pontiac until he graduated from high school and moved to Marquette to attend Northern Michigan University. After he received his degree in business,

Duff eventually pursued a career in selling life and health insurance at Iron Range Agency. Throughout the years, he was very active in service organizations, first joining the Optimist Club where he served as president from 1977-1978. He was also very active in the Marquette West Rotary Club and eventually the Exchange Club where he met his wife, Sue.

For many years, Duff was chairman of the Food Fest in the Lower Harbor. He was a member of Marquette Elks Lodge B.P.O.E., 405 and Richard Jopling Post 44 of the American Legion. He was an avid and enthusiastic Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings fan.

Duff possessed an outgoing, generous, and charismatic personality, claimed to have never met a stranger, and was always willing to help out anyone that needed a hand. With all his civic affiliations, Duff was considered a pillar of the community and was usually the life of the party. However, what he enjoyed most was mentoring his kids and grandkids in the values and things he enjoyed. He loved following their activities and was always there for their events and special days. Many fond and humorous memories were made with Duff teaching them to navigate road maps and airports. He loved to travel and when he and Sue had completed the fifty states, they then started working on different countries and became world travelers. He always enjoyed spending the winters in Punta Gorda, Florida and visiting Irish Pubs, most notably the Celtic Ray.

Duff is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sue (Wilderspin) Meyer; daughter, Christine (Andrew) Brunette; son, Brad (Megan) Meyer; step-son, Jason (Sara) Carter; ten grandchildren, Paityn, Ainsley, and Maia Brunette, Natalie, Alena, and James Meyer, Cody and Alex Carter, Amara and Kaylen Wallner; great-grandson, Liam; best friends, Terry Simula and John Buckett; his brothers, Ron (Barb) Meyer and Bob (Lynn) Meyer; many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or the Detroit Lions.

A celebration of life was held at the Marquette American Legion on Monday, September 20, 2021.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.