Richard Eugene Staub

Richard Eugene Staub, Sr. was called home on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the age of 77.

Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 1, 1946, to Helen Marie Lehman and Theodore R. Sheehan, Jr.

He attended Center Line High School and graduated in 1965.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1966 where he worked as a jet aircraft mechanic. He served during the Vietnam War era and rose to the ranks of Staff Sergeant. He was very proud to be a Veteran – the man and his Veteran/Air Force hats (and his cell phone) were never too far apart.

He was preceded in death by his father Theodore, his mother Helen and her husband Jerry.

He is survived by his sister Judi (husband Michael, nieces Janine and Julie and nephew Michael Jr.), Karen (mother of his children/ex-wife) and his children Jennifer (Tony), Tiffanie, Rick and Kim. He had 8 grandchildren – Jordan, Kai, Luke, Jake, Brianna, Marco, Symonne and Nico. He also had 8 great grandchildren – Navaeh, Layla, Giovanni, Dominic, Kydan, Alexandria, Nova and Athena.  

He loved and was so proud of all of his kids and his grandkids. And while he only knew his great grandkids through pictures and stories, he loved them all the same.

He was notably known for being a salesman and most definitely had the gift of gab and charm. Prior to having open heart surgery and being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2010, he was self employed doing furniture/carpet cleaning and repair, flood/fire restoration and murder/suicide cleanup.

He loved God and was sure to share Him with everyone around him. He had a heart for people and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He loved music, dancing, cooking and was a huge prankster! Water fights, food fights and whipped cream fights were not uncommon around him.

My daughter Symonne (affectionately “CC”) and I (Kim) are blessed and thankful to have shared so many special moments during weekly visits over the past 12 years. He always looked forward to these visits and he somehow always knew when it was Sunday, and we would be bringing him his “vittles.” Sometimes we wondered if his dementia was “selective.”

I am thankful he was able to share in moments like Symonne going to see him immediately after her high school graduation so they could take pictures together and he could be a part of her special day (she even bought him a nice outfit to wear), Kai flying to Arizona to tell him in person he was going to be a great grandpa and Jordan visiting after he returned from overseas and bringing him a flag that was flown over the war. He played a special role in each of their lives and they made sure to show him that love/respect in return. I am also thankful he was able to have his kids (Tiff, Rick and Kim) together and with him to celebrate his final birthday.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all of the staff (family) at Brookdale Trail Ridge who cared for him (and us) for the past 7+ years. He always said how much he loved it there and how everyone took such good care of him. We were all able to rest easier knowing he was in good hands and had loving people caring for him 24/7.

There will be no services or official memorial, though I encourage you to enjoy a meal, Starbucks Frappuccino, Little Debbie snack cake or candy bar in his honor – food was his love language!

In lieu of flowers, plants, etc., please consider a donation the Alzheimer’s Association or any VA program of your choosing in his honor.

“Thank God!”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Eugene Staub, please visit our floral store.