Richard John Travin passed into eternal life at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, Michigan on January 17, 2024. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 06, 1949 to parents Richard John and Mary Jane (Gilleran) Travin who preceded him in death.

As a young child, his favorite outfit involved a cowboy hat, boots, and a six shooter. He attended Saint Xavier Elementary school in LaGrange, Illinois, and was proud to proclaim that he was an altar boy there. In those days, he lived to ride his bike, dig holes in the sand with his Tonka trucks, ice skate, and play tricks on his sisters. He graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1967. While at Fenwick, he was on the swim team, competed as a speed skater, and chased girls at Nazareth Academy.

As a teenager, he played the bass guitar and sang in a rock and roll band, The Turks, which had some degree of fame among the local groupies. His brother, Tom, idolized him in that role!

After high school Rick attended General Motors mechanic school and explored that line of work for a while, followed by his years of road construction in Chicagoland. He loved driving that big equipment.

In January 1973, he married Vicki Swiatek, and together they had three beautiful children: Molly Maureen, Benjamin Josef, and Maggie Mae, who all survive.

He soon found the occupation that became his passion and began a long career as a woodworker. He spent the rest of his life making and finishing fancy woodwork and furniture. He left his seal on many homes in Chicagoland as well as Northern Michigan. He called himself a wood geek, wood guy, and sawdust creator. He knew his wood and was an expert on the names (even the generic names) and properties of every tree.

On September 14, 2002 he married Pennie Lou Rusch Lambert, and they spent many years together at “The Cottage” on Duck Lake, where he also made a lot of fancy woodwork. He built his dream woodshop nearby and became the proud owner of a Kubota tractor which he spent as many hours as possible driving.

Rick has four surviving siblings: Patricia Ann (Travin) Michaels, Susan Ellen Travin, Mary Margaret (Travin) Rytter, and Thomas Peter Travin. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Traverse City, MI on Friday, January 26, 2024, with visitation preceding at 10 am. A celebration of his life and internment of his cremains will be held at Memorial Gardens in early June 2024.

The family would like to thank the staff and physicians at Munson Hospice House for their loving and compassionate care.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, MI, Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, or St. Patrick Catholic Church in Traverse City, MI.