NC/RC/NWA Capt. Richard McNeil Edwards

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NC/RC/NWA Capt. Richard McNeil Edwards

August 24, 1938 ~ June 24, 2023

 

Please see wife Sally’s tribute to her husband below, or go online at

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/richard-edwards-obituary?id=52376922 

 

Obituary/tribute : Richard Edwards Obituary

Edwards, Richard

8/24/1938 - 6/24/2023

Freedom Point Place Memory Care, The Villages, FL

In Tribute To My Husband,

Richard McNeil Edwards. Born in Milan, MI, on August 24, 1938, Passed in The Villages, FL, on JUNE 24-2023

I dreaded the day I would write this and thought I was prepared to do it. That is not the case. When you watch someone you love so much daily deteriorating and in pain, you want them to go peacefully. He did that, and Cornerstone Hospice was there to make it pain-free. What a blessing they were. We had the Emerald Team, and everyone was marvelous at their job. He has been a Freedom Point Place Memory Care resident for two months. He thought he was in an apartment building and sometimes called it his condo. I can't say enough about Freedom Point Place and its employees. They treated him with such respect and kindness. In the end, the hospice nurses told us many employees came to say goodbye. The children spent time there with their dad and Grampy, and we were treated royally.

I have received so many notes from around this country, and everyone commented on Dick's dry sense of humor and his kindness; they said he is a true gentleman. He had so many friends. Born and raised in Milan, Michigan, and returned there when we married and raised our children there. He was always the oldest Dad at all of Ryan's school activities. We laughed about it. He served on Milan City Council, and we still talk about all the great pig roasts that Joe O'Donnell had for the community. Our airline friends came from all over to attend. He made many friends after having been with the three airlines, North Central, Republic, and Northwest, for 30 years and acting as chief pilot for the last several years. Well, maybe for a few, he wasn't their friend. Ha

Living at Ebb Tide Condominium on New Smyrna Beach and serving that community on the Board of Directors. We have the most memorable memories of our friends and our time there. We never stopped missing the beach and our friends. It was also near my family, who he loved so much.

Devils Lake, Manitou Beach, MI, was his favorite place. Neighbors there became family, and we watched our kids, the neighbor kids, and all their kids grow up to be and become beautiful families. Our saddest day was when he realized he couldn't drive to FL or maintain our cottage to his high expectations.

Lastly, moving from the beach after three hurricanes, we came to a lovely spot called The Villages, FL (No, we did not become swingers, and only a few of the stories are true!). We were the luckiest people to have moved into a brand-new Village of Hemingway and had the best neighborhood anyone could ask for. We gained another family.

He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing golf with my Aunt Ann (who will be 94 and still playing) and my cousins. I was, as always, the neighbor lady who wanted to have a party. Nothing changed but his health. The second saddest day was when he realized he couldn't physically play golf.

And here we are today after many years of back pain. He is at peace. He will be missed. Thank you all for being his friend.

Love Sally

Immediate Family Members:

Richard is survived by his wife, Sally Quinton Edwards, of 52 years. His daughter Kimberly (Tom) Probst of Longmont, CO. Son, Ryan M Edwards of Denver, CO, and Granddaughter Eve Menne Edwards of San Diego, CA. One brother Dennis (Diane) Edwards of Cincinnati, OH. Nephew Derek (Terri) Edwards and his family. He was brother and Uncle Dick to "several" of Sally's family, who will miss him terribly. He leaves behind many cousins from the Harold Spears and James Edwards families.