Richard Travis

Richard John Travis, of Beverly Hills, Michigan, passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 97. Richard, also known as "Dick," was born on May 9, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Felix and Angeline (Rusinek) Tarazevich, both of Polish ancestry. He graduated from Pershing High School in 1943 and entered the competitive V-12 Naval Officer Training Program during World War II. He then served his country as an officer in the United States Navy and Reserves. After earning his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, he had a successful engineering and management career at Detroit Edison for 38 years, receiving the Alex Dow Award and retiring in 1986. Richard was a sports fan, particularly of Michigan football and the Detroit Tigers, and an accomplished bowler earlier and an avid golfer later in life. He also invested wisely in a lifetime health club membership, which he used for over 50 years. In addition, he was a member and an officer in the Association of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a devoted member of St. Regis Catholic Church in Bloomfield Hills. Richard was united in marriage to Bernice Lewicki, a pharmacist, on October 15, 1955, until her passing in 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Fox, and son John Richard Travis, who passed away as an infant. Richard is survived by his daughters, Barbara (David) Hicks of Battle Creek, Linda Macomber of San Diego, CA., Susan Travis of Ann Arbor, and granddaughter Heather (Timothy) Ratigan of Chicago, IL.

The funeral service will be held for immediate family on March 6th at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Chapel. The family will receive friends on March 2, from 5-8 PM, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home in Battle Creek. A celebration of Richard's life is planned in the Detroit area for late April. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Regis Catholic Church or the University of Michigan College of Engineering. As a professional engineer, a World War II Veteran, a University of Michigan alumnus, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Richard lived a long and fulfilling life. His loved ones and everyone who knew him will deeply miss him. Memories and condolences may be left for the family at  www.henryfuneralhome.org  .