Richard "Dick" A. Ames

Richard “Dick” Arnold Ames died peacefully of natural causes on June 3, 2025, surrounded by his family. Known as “Freddie” to many, he will be remembered especially for his analytical mind, love of reading, and commitment to family.

Born on November 2, 1938, in Aurora, IL, Dick was son of Agnes and Ashley Ames and older brother to Ron. He worked hard to put himself through DePauw University in Indiana, where he met his wife of nearly 65 years, Marcia Ann Barron. After marrying, they moved to the Detroit suburbs where they began raising their young family. Dick was a proud father of three daughters and always gave 110% support to them–from timing at swim meets to giving insightful life advice.

With a brilliant brain for numbers, Dick received a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon Institute and had rewarding careers as the Controller at Ford Motor Company, the VP of Finance at Union Pacific Railroad, and the Chief Financial Officer at U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Upon retiring to Harbor Springs, MI, he shared his financial skills by serving for many years on the Foundation Board of Directors at North Central Michigan College and the Board of Birchwood Farms. He was a believer in daily to-do lists and attention to detail. He was always principled and hardworking.

Freddie had many interests, he was a collector of model cars, a hiker, a golfer, and an extremely loyal fan of University of Michigan football and basketball. Go Blue! Dick was a first chair/last chair downhill skier with his family and friends at Boyne Highlands and Nubs Nob and skied all over the country with his OFOS buddies. He loved sailing his Laser on Lake Michigan from the family cottage in Good Hart.

Freddie lived by his personal motto, learn something new every day. He was a voracious reader. He loved books! He spent lots of time browsing at Petoskey District Library and searching for used books at New Beginnings. Freddie actively passed on the gift of reading to his kids and grandkids and would take them to his favorite bookstore, Between the Covers, to pick out a book. He valued education and was a strong supporter of Hillsdale College and North Central Michigan College.

Freddie always took a keen interest in others. Never one to enjoy a large crowd, he loved one-on-one conversations and learning about others' interests, particularly those of young people. He would listen intently, ask insightful questions, and provide encouragement and thoughtful advice.

YRF–Yay Rah Freddie! We love you. May you rest in peace.

Freddie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marcia Barron Ames; his three daughters, Lori (Paul) Fenton, Sarah (Mark) McAuliffe, and Molly (Josh) Baker; his brother Ron (Julie) Ames; his ten grandchildren Erin (Chris) Casale, Amy Fenton, Megan (Katherine) Stone, Katie (Tom) Polus, Emily McAuliffe, Brian McAuliffe, Lily McAuliffe, Luke Baker, Josie Baker, and Charlie Baker; and three great grandchildren: CJ Casale, Caroline Polus, and Reed Casale.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Pineview Cottage for their exceptional care in supporting Freddie and his decline with dementia, to the Hospice of Northern Michigan for their expertise and compassion in the last weeks of life, and to his dear friend James Keller who took him out into the world and kept his mind active.

A private memorial service will be held, and the family asks that donations in celebration of Dick’s love of learning be made to North Central Michigan College’s Student Scholarship Fund (ncmich.edu/about-us/foundation/donate.html) or the Petoskey District Library (petoskeylibrary.org/en/about-the-library/donate.aspx).