TRAVERSE CITY — Richard Phillip Bolek, 70, of Traverse City, died peacefully Jan. 9, 2011, at Birchwood Nursing Center.Richard was born June 3, 1940, in Traverse City, to Joseph and Lavina Bolek. During his senior year of high school, Richard ventured out to California, where he finished high school and enlisted in the United States Navy to do his part during the Vietnam War.After the Navy, Richard returned to Traverse City, where he worked for the Department of Sanitation. After that he became a Certified Nurses Assistant at the Birchwood Nursing Center. He could often be found mingling with people at either J & S Hamburg or Rounds Circle Inn.Richard is survived by his sisters, Judy (Hans) Mallwitz, of Traverse City, Nancy Hancock, of Desoto, Mo., and Mary (Phil) Jordan of Tyler, Texas.He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lavina, and three sisters, Pauline Lampros, Phyllis Hosler, and Joyce Kemper.The family will be hosting a family gathering in the summertime.Please sign Richard's online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.