Charles "Chuck" James Richards

Charles “Chuck” James Richards, 67, of Stevensville passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Corewell Health South.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake St, Bridgman, MI 49106, with Father Arthur Howard, officiating. Friends may meet with the family from 6-8 PM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, MI 49106. Burial will be in Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lory’s Place, 445 Upton Drive, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 5501 N Cumberland Ave #101, Chicago, IL 60656. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Charles was born on April 14, 1955 in Seymour, Indiana, the son of Charles and Dorothy (Empson) Richards. On May 27, 2006 he married Susan McCarthy and she preceded him in death in 2021. On December 16, 2022, he married Cynthia Piechnik. Chuck studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Valparaiso Technical Institute from 1973 - 1977. In 1983, Chuck earned a BSEE degree from Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. Chuck Richards served what seems like a lifetime at DC Cook Nuclear Power Plant. Since 1984, Chuck worked a combined time of 37 years as an AEP and Contractor employee for BHI. During his time, he became a legend in the Instrumentation and Control department as the Subject Matter Expert on all the plant systems. Chuck was dedicated to his job and the people he worked with building strong relationships with his coworkers and making lasting friendships along his journey. Chuck was always willing to help to solve problems at the plant and always made the Operations department a priority to ensure a safe running plant. Chuck was a kind and thoughtful soul who will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched. Outside of work, Chuck cared for the friends he made and was generous with his time and extended the ability of his mechanical aptitudes when a friend needed help. Chuck would assist at moment’s notice without question to make sure his friends and family were always taken care of to the best of his abilities and knowledge.

Survivors include his wife: Cynthia; his mother: Dorothy; his children: Danielle (Calvin) Bogart and Jillian (David) Laughman; three grandchildren; siblings: Joy (John) Ickes and Jan (Frank) Padula; six nieces and nephews.

Charles was also preceded in death by his father: Charles Richards.