Richard “Byrd” Kramer

He was born Richard L. Kramer in Bradford, PA and enrolled in the US Air Force after graduating from high school in 1963. He earned his nickname “Byrd” in Crete following an incident that involved a number of his Air Force buddies, a bottle of ouzo, and an olive tree growing in the middle of an outdoor cafe. The name stuck for the remainder of his life. When he returned to the States, Byrd attended UMD in Duluth MN, where he and his best friend Chas met and married the sisters who lived in the apartment across the street. Byrd and his wife Ruth were married for 53 years.

In 1970, Byrd moved to Eugene, OR where he became an expert wallpaper hanger. He loved his work and hung wallpaper for 44 years; as owner of Emerald Wallpapering in Eugene and Byrd Kramer Wallpapering in Michigan. The Kramers moved to Marquette, MI in 1978, then in 1989 to portage entry near Chassell MI where he lived for the remainder of his life. Byrd was an avid fisherman and was an excellent card player. Few people could beat him in cribbage. After he retired in 2014, he and Ruth enjoyed traveling, cruising, appreciating the view of Lake Superior from their deck, and most of all visiting family in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, California, and Minnesota.

Byrd courageously battled a number of serous medical conditions later in life, including lung cancer, which eventually took his life. He is survived by his wife Ruth, sisters Suzanne Yohe and Cathy Pearce of Bradford, 36 nieces and nephews, and many, many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Byrd will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace, Byrdman.