Richard A. Ashburn

Richard Ashburn Sr passed away on the morning of January 20, 2026. It can honestly be said that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by those he loved in his final days. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane, his daughter, Debra, and granddaughter, Jillian. He is survived by his sons: Richard Jr (Laura), Steve (Nancy), and Andrew (Robyn) Ashburn. Also survived by his grandchildren: Jessica (Andrew) Tatara, Jeffery (Stacy) Ashburn, Megan Lapasky, James (Amanda) McMahon III, Stephanie (Scott) Moore, Matthew Nagle, Katherine McMahon, Derek (Jaclyn) Ashburn, Alec Ashburn, Abbey (Ian) Tomashik. Finally, survived by his great grandchildren: Savannah Roberts, Marissa Ashburn, Ethan Lapasky, Grace Lapasky, Benjamin Lapasky, Gabriella Sacco, James McMahon IV, Harry McMahon, Samuel Moore, Nathaniel Moore, Daniel Moore, Zayla Nagle, Michael Nagle, and Jane Ashburn.

Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 14, 1936, the third son of Alfred and Hilda Ashburn. During an adolescence in which his family moved frequently, a boyhood love of baseball served as a constant presence in his life. It remained a lifelong passion. Though he was a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers, he would happily watch any good game and enjoyed the 2025 World Series discussing it with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He grew up primarily in Detroit. He attended a football game and mistakenly sat on the opposing school's side, where he met his future bride, Diane. He began working full time at a young age, loading bread ovens at a bakery to support his young wife and infant son. After becoming a truck driver for that same bakery, he spent many years delivering bread to local stores all around metro Detroit, seemingly learning every street and encountering every grocer in the area along the way. Later he worked in the freight industry, retiring as a sales manager for a regional trucking company in 2001. Following his retirement, he volunteered as a truck driver for the American Red Cross, delivering blood to local hospitals every week for the next 20 years.

Richard was married to his late wife Diane for 59 years, and together their hard work and longing for adventure propelled them to many far-off destinations around the world. Their journeys brought them great joy, occasional misadventure, and everything in between. Hawaii, Paris, and Windjammer sailing cruises ranked among his favorites. He shared many amusing anecdotes from his travels and told stories which conjured up the richness and majesty of a world he loved to explore.

Despite a premature end to his formal education, Richard possessed a life-long devotion to learning and spent much of his free time reading. He was well acquainted with a broad range of literary works and was a keen supporter of the arts throughout his life. He was quick to spot a Shakespearean reference, sing the lyric from an operetta, or solve a crossword clue, drawing upon his vast knowledge and experience. He marveled at the achievements of mankind and found wonder and intrigue in endeavors great and small, whether it was the construction of a new bridge or the everyday lives of others. His intellect and humor enchanted those around him and made him cherished company for any occasion.

Richard believed in the goodness and decency of people, extending grace and patience to all those in his path (he loathed the honking of a car horn). He lived a life free of judgement and was disinclined to tell anyone what to do, how to live, or what to think. It was only through observing his quiet disposition, dignified manner, and cheerful presence that one might perceive what he understood to constitute a good life. He and his wife maintained a welcoming and open home, offering a sanctuary of peace and kindness to family, friends, and new faces alike. His strength and self-discipline were perfectly complimented by his relaxed and warmhearted demeanor.

He delighted in both the finer and simpler things in life and could be heard softly pronouncing “life is good” after the first sip of a martini, a bite of frozen custard, or watching the sunrise with a loved one. Fatherhood was a source of lifelong pride and satisfaction - “I have the greatest kids” was another one of his frequent refrains. Shared interests in music, sports, books, travel, and all of life’s joys provided for a close, lifelong bond with his children and their spouses. Perhaps those most fortunate knew him simply as “Grandpa”. As grandparents, he and his wife brought immeasurable enrichment to the lives of their ten grandkids through countless trips to the theater, museums, movies, and trips to their summer cottage on Lake Huron. As his grandkids grew older, they provided him with many great-grandchildren, and a final generation grew to adore this gray-haired man beloved by so many.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Allen Park Chapel of the Martenson Family of Funeral Homes located at 10915 Allen Road, 48101. 

Please visit Richard's online guestbook and tribute wall to share memories and leave condolences for his family.