Richard "Dick" Hendrian

Richard VanBuren Hendrian, 93, died May 27, 2023. He was born on September 19, 1929 to Richard and Ione Hendrian in New York City, New York. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-nine years Carlotta (Ziegeler), one granddaughter, and three great grandchildren. He is survived by his seven children Mary (Dave) Zehnder, Julie (Warren) Starr, Margaret (Don) Clark, Jane (Bill) Weisemann, Richard (Mary), William (Laura), and Caroline (Russ) Van Atter, thirty-four grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren, sisters Suzanne and Cynthia, and several nieces and nephews.

Richard graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 1947, where he participated in football, swimming, and tennis. He attended Texas Christian University, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan, from where he graduated in 1951.

In the fall of 1951 Richard enlisted in the US Army Intelligence Agency, attended the Army Language School in Monterey, California, and after a 46 week course graduated third in his class from the Czech Language Program. He married Carlotta Ann Ziegeler from Highland Park, Michigan on July 5, 1952.

After graduating, they were sent to Falls Church, Virginia, where Richard (Dick) received additional training with the National Security Agency. After completing his training, Dick was sent to Germany.

Following his discharge from the Army in the fall of 1954, Dick went to work for the Standard Oil Company of Indiana (later Amoco Oil Company) in Detroit, Michigan, and retired in 1988 while living in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. For about the next two years Dick worked as a consultant for the Crown Central Petroleum Company, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1993 Dick, Carlotta, and family moved to Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Starting in his mid-forties, Dick became an avid runner. He competed in six marathons, including both the Chicago and Boston marathons twice. He also competed in numerous 10K’s and other distance events over the years. After moving to Harbor Springs he added roller blades, downhill and cross country skiing, ski-skating, and cycling to his running routine.

Dick also loved music. He sang in a choir as a child and had been singing in the Holy Childhood of Jesus Choir for many years.

Dick and Carlotta were active volunteers. Mr. Hendrian became a “Big Brother” when his “little,” Ryan, was 10 years old, seeing him weekly until the “little” enlisted in the US Marine Corps following his high school graduation. For over ten years Dick participated in a twice monthly Bible Study at the County Jail, and for over fifteen years was a Mediator for Northern Community following about two years as a youth counselor for the County Court System. For many years Dick and Carlotta volunteered at the summer and winter Special Olympic Games and helped with Mass at Bay Bluffs Care Center. For over 15 years they were members of the Holy Childhood of Jesus Christian Service Commission and volunteered at New Beginnings Thrift Shop and Harbor Springs Food Pantry.

There will be a Funeral Mass at Holy Childhood of Jesus Church in Harbor Springs on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior to Mass. Father James Bearss will officiate. Burial will take place at Holy Childhood Cemetery immediately following.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Petoskey.  

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