Richard Lee Dilsworth

Dr. Richard Lee Dilsworth, age 85 of Tega Cay, South Carolina passed away on June 20, 2021.  Richard was born on August 2, 1935 in Owosso, Michigan to parents, Orill Ray Dilsworth and Neva Lucille (Kennett) Dilsworth.  He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1953 and was a member of the National Honor Society, graduating third in his class.  He played four sports, lettering in football, baseball, basketball, and golf.  He was the first team all-conference in football.

He attended Central Michigan University and completed pre-courses for optometry school and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi.  He went to Illinois College Optometry School, was a member of Tomb and Key Honor Society, a member of Golden Key Honor Society, and a member of Beta Sigma Kappa. an international honorary fraternity.  Chicago was also where he met his future bride, Judith Thirtyacker.

Upon graduating in 1958 with highest honors, he was commissioned as an officer in the US Army Medical Service Corps based in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  While stationed there, he married Judith in 1958 at the chapel on base.  They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in Charleston, SC.

He trained as a medic and upon completing training, he was sent to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.  He practiced optometry in the army hospital and volunteered for the American Red Cross working with long-term patients.  In 1962 after being honorably discharged from the army, he moved to Alma, Michigan where he set up a private optometry practice, and he has also opened a satellite office in nearby Edmore.  He was also a member of the Michigan Optometric Association for 38 years.

Richard strongly believed in giving back to the community.  He was a member and president of the Alma Jaycees and vice-president for the state of Michigan Jaycees; a member and president of the Alma Chamber of Commerce; a 12 year member of the Alma School Board, serving for five years as president; and a member of the State of Michigan School Board.  He was very involved in the planning of the Highland Festival and was on the Community Fund drive for United Way.  He was also a member of the Elks Club and a lifetime member of the Michigan Masonic Lodge.

One of his passions was sports, and he served as the volunteer voice for the Alma College football and basketball teams for eight years.  Alma College President, Dr. Oscar Remick and football coach, Jim Cole, awarded him the title of "honorary coach" for his dedication to the teams.  He was also awarded the Outstanding Community Educator Award by Dr. John Palmer for his dedicated services to the adult and young people of the Alma community.  And he spent countless hours attending his three kids' various sporting events, ranging from basketball to volleyball to cheerleading.

Above all other sports, however, was his love for the game of golf.  He was a member of the Pine River Country Club, where he won the Club Championship and Senior Championship, just to name a few.  He taught all three of his children, how to play and passed down his passion for the sport to his grandchildren, often taking them to the course to play a few rounds. In his lifetime, he played at least 300 golf courses all over the world.  He kept a detailed list with statistics for every round of golf played and would enjoy randomly opening a page and replaying the course.

Upon retiring, he and Judith moved to Tega Cay, SC.  They became members of the Tega Cay Vintage Club, where he served as president in 1998.  He was a member of the Tega Cay Golf Club and served on the advisory committee.

He also organized a standing golf game at the club three days a week, open to any golfer no matter the skill level.  The group still plays regularly and tee times are still made under the moniker "The Dilsworth Group" to this day.  He also was a member of the Tega Cay Veteran's Association and volunteered at Carolinas Medical Center Hospital in Charlotte in the surgical outpatient area for thirteen years.

In addition to golf, he enjoyed boating, playing bridge with friends, bowling, fishing, and traveling with his family.  He was very proud of his three children who all graduated from Michigan State University.

Richard will be remembered for his dedication to his wife and family, his commitment to volunteer work, and his compassion for others.  He is survived by his wife, Judith; his children, Kathleen (Rich) Achtenberg, Kristeen (Spencer) Dolloff, and Rick Dilsworth; brothers Howard (Karen) Dilsworth and Keith (Serenity) Dilsworth and eight grandchildren (Max, Kyle, Trevor, Connor Annabel, Chloe, Luke, and Riley.)

The family of Richard Dilsworth wished to extend sincere thanks to the Wellmore Nursing Home of Tega Cay, Hospice of Charlotte NC, and the Veterans Hospital of Columbia, SC.  In honor of Richard, memorials may be given to the Hospice of Charlotte, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226. https://www.hpccr.org/donate

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.  May God enjoy his company.

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Services are handling the arrangements.