Richard "Dick" Oas

Munising

Richard E. “Dick” Oas, age 91, of Munising, died late Wednesday evening, April 24, 2019 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice.  He was born on May 19, 1927 in Munising, MI to the late Edmund and Elila (Wilson) Oas. Dick grew up in Munising and attended Wm. G. Mather.  He entered into the U.S. Navy in November of 1944 and served in WWII.  Dick was stationed aboard the USS Vella Gulf (CVE 111) and USS Bougainville where he worked in the engine room and was a fireman on the ships.  He was honorably discharged in July of 1946 as a Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class, and was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal.  After his discharge, Dick traveled to the state of Washington, where his parents were living.  This let him reconnect with family and stay close to the sea.  In August of 1950, Dick was called again to serve his country and served in the Korean War aboard the USS Hamul and USS Wiseman, finishing his service in July of 1954.  Dick married Beverly Ann Yell on October 10, 1953 and together they started their family.  With his return home to Munising Dick began working at the Munising Wooden Ware.  After the Wooden Ware plant closed, he was able to find work in Muskegon, MI working for Michigan Spring Company for fifteen years.  He worked up to be project manager and helped create new designs for the automotive industry.  Dick and his family returned to Munising, and he began working with his brother Bob in construction, and then as a fuel oil delivery truck driver for Nelson Oil.  As their children were getting older and Dick was getting ready to retire, Bev and Dick lovingly brought in and adopted their daughter Stacy.  Dick loved his new role as a stay at home dad.  Some years later, Bev and Dick were called again to love and help raise their grandson Kenya.  Raising these three generations helped keep Dick and Bev young and active, and they never had an empty nest.  Through these generations, Dick shared his many talents and hobbies with his family: hunting, brook trout fishing, building and tinkering, sharing his vegetables from his garden, and driving the kids around in his “Doodle Bug”.  He was a member of the American Legion and Eden Lutheran Church.

Dick is survived by his wife of sixty-five years Bev Oas of Munising, children – Linda (Geoffery) Davison of England, Don Oas of Van Meer, and Stacy (Paul) Sandoval of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren – Kenya Oas, Joshua (Liz) Brouillette, Brian (Rebakah) Brouillette, Lindsey (Josh) Angell, Tim (Adel) Davison, Matt (Christine) Davison, David (Courtney) Oas, and USAF Tech Sgt. Craig Oas; eleven great-grandchildren; sister – Nancy (Robert) Nelson; daughter-in-law – Cathy Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents – Edmund and Elila; brothers – Bob Oas, Jim (Dotty) Oas, and Bill (Marion) Oas; and granddaughter – Danyel Oas.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at Eden Lutheran Church from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  The American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Honor Guard will conduct military honors at 2:00 p.m. Dick’s memorial service will immediately follow, and will be conducted by Pastor Ann Gonyea.