Richard was born May 28, 1930, in Tecumseh, Michigan to Elvin and Zelma (Cook) Butler. He was a graduate of Onsted High School, class of 1947. Richard married Rhea Muhn on December 22, 1950, in Tecumseh, Michigan and she survives him. He graduated from Adrian College in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Richard worked at Tecumseh Products from 1947 until 1959.
Richard proudly served his country when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in July of 1953 where he served in the occupational Army of Germany. Richard received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Artillery while he served in the Reserves during September of 1956. In December of 1957, he started his teaching career at Sand Creek Community Schools. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in June of 1960 with a master’s in arts degree. During the Cuban Crisis in 1961 he was recalled to active duty as a 1st Lieutenant with the Adrian Reserve Unit, 392 Chemical Corp, serving at Fort McClellan, Alabama. In 1966, he graduated from Antioch College, Ohio, with a master’s in science. Richard then graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1967 with a specialist degree in Counseling. He was a licensed Michigan Counselor. Richard graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1972. He completed 35 years in the Army and Reserves and was discharged from the U.S. Army on February 28, 1988, as a Colonel. Richard was a fixture at the Sand Creek Community School for over 35 years as a high school Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and Principal before retiring in June of 1993.
Attending church activities and worship services were an important part of Richard’s life. It was at the Tecumseh Friends Church where he was a teacher, youth leader, and Sunday school superintendent. At Adrian First Church of the Nazarene, he was a teacher, served on the church board, Sunday school board, and along with Rhea, co-directors of the Primetimers for over 20 years. Richard was a life member of the Reserve Officers Association, VFW, American Legion, Disabled Veterans and AMVETS. He performed military duty at: Fort Knox, Fort Dix, Fort Eustis, Fort Story, Fort Bliss, Fort Leavenworth, Fort McClellan, Camp McCoy, Fort MacPherson, Fort Gillem and West Point Military Academy. He also attended the Reserve Center in Adrian, Jackson, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Lansing.
Richard and his wife were foster parents to 18 foster children. Surviving is his wife of 75 years, Rhea Lucille; son, Jerry Lee of Adrian; special foster children, Fay (Wayne) Gasho of Ingersoll, Canada; Gloria Trevino of Adrian; foster grandchildren, Melissa Nieto (Travis) Hollstelle of Oregon and Martha Nieto of Wisconsin; foster great grandson, John Nieto of Washington; sisters-in-law, Sharon Clifton of Oklahoma, Louise Muhn of Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Virginia Butler of Onsted. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Butler; sisters-in-law, Priscilla (Joe) Sardo and Shirlene (Herman) Miller and brother-in-law, Richard Muhn.
There will be a memorial service honoring Richard’s life on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Adrian First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Larry Betz and Pastor Bob Moulding officiating. A gathering will be held one hour prior to the start of the service at church. Inurnment will take place at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park, Adrian.
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