Richard Forton

Richard G. Forton

1925 - 2014

Richard "Dick Forton of Traverse City, Michigan passed away on Friday, February 28, 2014. He was 89. His daughter Lynn was with him.

Richard was born on January 5, 1925 and was a life-long resident of Traverse City. After graduating from Traverse City Central High School in 1943, he served in the U. S. Army for two years during World War II. Years later, he would say, "Other than the two years I spent in the service, you could put a half dollar over Traverse City on a map and that's where I spent most of my life."

When he returned home from the service, he met and married Barbara Ann West. They were married on March 20, 1948, the same wedding date as his parents Gerald and Nellie Forton in 1918 and the same wedding date as Barbara's parents Peter and Beatrice Jensen in 1942.

Richard worked for the City of Traverse City for 41 years. He started as a garbage collector and worked his way up to Superintendent of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Along the way, he worked as a water treatment operator, office assistant and as the assistant superintendent under his father Gerald Forton. As the population of Traverse City grew, he oversaw the implementation of many projects that expanded and upgraded the operation of the plant. Years after retiring in 1987, Richard delighted in reminiscing about things like manholes on Front Street that were problematic back in 67, or explaining how water got from the bay to the city water tower and especially, what happened to the beaches and water temperature when the wind came out of the north.

Richard enjoyed tinkering in the yard and in his home. Whenever anyone asked him what he was making he would tell them, "…a do-hicky for a thing-a-ma-bob." He was referred to as "Macgyver" by his family and friends and could fix just about anything with a roll of duct tape and a metal hangar.

He loved fishing, gardening and taking his kids on all kinds of outings as they grew up. A ride on a rainy day could quickly turn into an adventure of berry picking, mushrooming, a swim in the Boardman River or a picnic with sodas and peanut butter sandwiches.

Richard was an avid bicyclist and could be seen riding his bike all over the city, rain or shine, and was proud that he could be rainproofed with a couple of black garbage bags.

During the 80's and 90's, he drove his motor home to Winter Garden, Florida where he and his wife spent the winters visiting family and friends.

In 2011, Richard and his wife moved into Rosegate Assisted Living. He enjoyed sitting in his lift chair in the living room, talking with family, residents and visitors and participating in sing-along events. He loved going out for a beer and a burger, taking rides throughout Grand Traverse County and, more recently, having lunch at Duncan L. Clinch Marina.
Richard will be remembered by his family and friends as a person who loved his family, enjoyed a good time and who was a genuinely funny, sweet man.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Nellie Forton, his sister Helen Forton, his brother Rocky Forton and his son, Patrick Forton.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Forton, his children, Lynn Forton of Winter Springs, Florida and Lee King and Peter Forton of Traverse City, six grandchildren, Marynell Ripmaster, Sara Holcombe and Amy Lewis of Traverse City, Jennifer Davidson of Winter Springs, Florida, Angie Forton of Mount Dora, Florida and Taylor Forton of Brunswick, Georgia and three great grandchildren, Brady Ripmaster of Traverse City, James Patrick Willard of Mount Dora and Dana Lynn Davidson of Winter Springs.

Please make memorial donations to Munson Hospice.