Richard J Mcmaster

Richard J. McMaster went to heaven on September 4, 2016, age 82. He was born on April 18, 1932, the only child of James and Helen McMaster. Dick was raised in Detroit where he attended Redford High School. He sang in the choir and led Bible studies at Covenant Baptist Church. Dick married Marilyn Higgs and they had four children. Dick worked first as a draftsman then as a professional photographer. In 1961, the family moved to Milwaukee where Dick joined Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. Dick was responsible for overseeing the success of 30 NML General Agents and 1,500 agents in the southeast and northwest U.S. He traveled extensively and enjoyed telling stories about the cities he visited and the many people he met. Dick received the highest rating ever given to a Regional VP for Agencies. In 1996, Dick retired from NML after 35 years. He and Marilyn divorced in 1998. After “retiring”, Dick immediately founded a consulting company. He worked with business people to help them achieve their goals. Beth Payne hired Dick to consult on a fundraising project she was directing for the Boys & Girls Clubs. They worked together for six months then went their separate ways. In 1998, Dick was hired as Business Manager of Beth’s church, Harvest Community. When he and Beth married in 2000, Dick became an “instant” uncle to Beth’s niece and three nephews. Uncle Dick made the most of every opportunity to encourage them to be their best selves. Dick’s other business endeavors included life coaching, consulting to several inner-city churches, and working with Beth in the Interior Design business. Dick traveled to Estonia in 2001 as part of a missionary team helping Estonianians establish sound business practices. Throughout his lifetime, Dick enjoyed a vibrant relationship with the Lord. He also encouraged others to grow in their faith. Dick taught the Bible in small group settings for 50 years. His hobbies included tennis, sailing, bicycling and ballroom dancing. He is preceded in death by his first wife, by nephew Stuart Mitkey, and son-in-law, Keith Nilson. In addition to wife Beth, survivors include his children Doug (Lara) McMaster of CO, Karen Nilson of ND, Julie (Ray) Jecklin of NM and Peter (Sandra) McMaster of NM, 11 grandchildren, 16 greatgrandchildren. Dick was a favorite brother-in-law of Deb Coffelt (Doug LaKosh) of Mukwonago, Richard (Christine) Mitkey of Cedarburg. Sadly missed by nephews Brett Coffelt and Blake Coffelt, niece Lena Mitkey, mother-in-law Bernice Mitkey, best friend Phil Lee. Dick’s supportive, enthusiastic and encouraging spirit will be remembered by everyone who knew him well. Donations to New Tribes Missions or World Ministries (worldmin.org) Attn: BNP. Visitation to be held on Thursday, September 8 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pagenkopf Funeral Home. A service will be held on Friday, September 9 at 10:30 AM with a visitation starting at 9:30 AM at Oakwood Church (3041 Oakwood Rd Hartland).