Richard "Dick" Lee Walsworth, 77, of Mears, passed away Friday, December 27, 2019, at his home. He was born April 30, 1942, in Hart, the son of Walter and Anna (Padecky) Walsworth. Dick was a lifelong resident of Golden Township.

Dick attended Hovey School through the 8 ^th grade, graduated from Hart High School and attended Michigan State University.  While at Hart High School he was very active in the FFA.  He was 16 when he bought his first tractor and he also ground feed at Farm Bureau.  After college Dick worked at Dupont but found his way back to farming in the late 1960's.  Dick started with what he called "the famous 13 rows of asparagus" in 1967 and grew the farm to what it is today.  He along with his brother Don, sold asparagus seed for approximately 20 years under Deer Patch Asparagus, LLC.  He manufactured asparagus carts, some of which are still in service.  He was very close to his farm workers that he hired year after year and always enjoyed hearing about their families.  Dick spent a lot of his time improving the asparagus industry in our area mentoring other farmers in any way he could.  He traveled to Mexico, Peru, California and Washington D.C. promoting the asparagus industry.  He was very involved with the political aspects of the asparagus industry resulting in the USDA putting asparagus on the government surplus food program.

Dick was very active in the community and was involved with many boards.  He was a member of the Oceana Electric Board, Chairman of the Great Lakes Energy Board, Chairman of the Wolverine Power Board and a member of the Spartan Renewable Energy Board.  He was Trustee at the Mears United Methodist Church, Trustee on the Golden Township Board, Director of the Oceana County Council on Aging, and served on the Boards of Determination with the Oceana County Drain Commission.   He was Chairman of the MACMA board, served two terms on the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, and was an active Farm Bureau member.

In 1987, Dick, Don and brother-in-law Bill Ensign started Silver Lake Mini-Stor, Inc. in Silver Lake and later added two more buildings in Hart.

Dick and Marcia sold the farm to Ryan and Janice in 2004 but continued to offer support, mentorship and help in any way he could including driving tractor.  Dick and Marcia loved going to Florida and Alabama to visit the friends they made while camping at Pentwater State Park lovingly referred to as the Sandy Dozen.

He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and grandfather.

On May 11, 1963, Dick married Marcia Blackmer, who survives him. He is also survived by: his daughter-in-law, Janice Walsworth; son-in-law, Roger Ward; grandchildren, Jordon (Sarah) Walsworth, Haley Walsworth, Anna Walsworth, Andrew Ward, and Sara Ward; great-grandson, Henry Walsworth; brother, Don (Marilyn) Walsworth; sister, Joyce (Bill) Ensign; sister-in-law, Kris Walsworth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by: his parents, Walter and Anna Walsworth; son, Ryan Walsworth; daughter, Kari Ward; and brothers, Ken Walsworth and James Walsworth.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2020, at Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 N 56 ^th Avenue, Mears, with Pastor Anne Riegler officiating. There will be a luncheon to follow at the Oceana County Council on Aging, 4250 Tyler Road, Hart. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N 72 ^nd Avenue, Hart. Interment will be in Mears Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dick and Ryan Walsworth Community Fund or the Oceana County Council on Aging.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com