Richard "Dick" Raymond Lowe, 84, of Traverse City passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Dick was born on September 10, 1930 in Detroit MI, to the late Joseph and Mary (Miczulski) Zylowski. He graduated from high school in Detroit in 1946. Following high school he attended the University of Michigan where he was a dedicated member of the Chapel Group and graduated with an engineering degree. After college he married Elsie Gertude Kropa in 1951. Together they lovingly raised three children, Richard Jr., Kenneth, and Janice.

Dick was a dedicated member at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Birmingham where he established the Our Shepherd Elevator Fund. He was involved with the Lutheran Children Friends Society which led he and Elsie to shelter foster children early in their marriage.

Dick worked for Michigan Bell as head of systems research and was a pioneer in computer science. He was a member of SCORE and also was a guest professor at the Wharton School of Business.

After moving to Traverse City, Dick served as past president of the Exchange Club, and was active in the Cherry Festival for over 26 years, advocating for a disabled children's day. An advocate for the disabled, Dick worked at Camp Roy- El, a retreat for disabled children and was a member of the MS Society.

A dedicated member of the Trinity Lutheran Church for many years, Dick served as treasurer, usher, and proudly helped set up the Trinity Lutheran Endowment Fund.

After Elsie's death in 1987 he married Esther Ruth Chylla in 1989 in Bloomfield Hills. The two resided in Traverse City and enjoyed traveling together all over the world, including The Holy Land, Egypt, Germany, France, Bulgaria, England, the Bay of Fundi, Maine and countless other special destinations. They also enjoyed crossword puzzles, card games, senior group outings with their church, and especially U of M football games with their family and friends. He especially enjoyed the rivalry between U of M and Michigan State due to his children's divided loyalties.

Dick will be remembered fondly for his sense of humor, quick wit, jokes, being called "grumpa" by his grandchildren and, most importantly, his big heart and love for people. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving Dick is his wife, Esther, of 25 years, children; Richard Lowe Jr., Kenneth Lowe and Janice E (Micheal) Kilpatrick, step-children, Kathleen (Steven) Kopitz, Michael (Sherill) Chylla, Patricia (Rev. Theodore) Moeller, Joanne Lowe, Timothy Chylla, and his grandchildren; Jared, Tyler, Austin, Collin, Zack, Bradley, Jessica, Laura, Rebecca, Ashley and Christopher.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents and wife Elsie.

Visitation for Dick will take place on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 22, at 4pm with a visitation held from 3-4 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later time. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Endowment Fund or to the Charity of one's choice. Please visit Dick's online guestbook and share memories with the family.