Richard Damian “Dick” Lutovsky, Captain of Old Yeller and Founder of Dick’s Last Resort on Patterson Lake, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at his home with loved ones. He faced his battle with dementia with strength and courage. He leaves the Dam Site Inn and life in general a little quieter now that his laugh is gone.
A Michigander through and through, Dick was born in Ann Arbor on April 12, 1957, the son of Raymond E. and Rosemary A. (Lyons) Lutovsky. Dick graduated from Chelsea High School in 1975, and then attended Ohio Technical College. He returned to Chelsea and worked at Chelsea Proving Grounds as an Impact Technician, finally retiring in 2020.
Dick found joy living his ideal laker life driving his pontoon boat around the Patterson chain of lakes. He savored the finer sides of Michigan: a good IPA, an all-night bonfire, the opening of deer season, and the Lions Thanksgiving game, particularly when Nickelback was the halftime show. A cyclone of energy, he spent many hours training and competing in triathlons across the state, and often he was seen running or biking on the Potawatomi trail and dirt roads close to him. Little in stature but big of heart, Dick will be missed by everyone he helped—and that list is very, very long as his generosity and warmth made him a “go-to” guy. Need a snow plow? Go to Dick. Need help fixing a lazy susan? Go to Dick. Need help putting in or taking out your boat? Go to Dick. He constantly modeled how to be a kind, giving man.
He was happiest, though, with his wife Jessica Lytle, whom he wed on July 18, 2009, arguably the coldest day of the month. He is also survived by sisters, Teri (Doug) Shiels of Adrian, and Joan Lutovsky of Gregory; mother- and father-in-law, Linda and R.P. Lytle; sister-in-law, Emily (Jason Polk) Hill; one niece, Danielle (Mitchel) Schilling; two nephews, Chris (Rani) Shiels and Brenton (Amber) Shiels; and his puppy, Manager Honey. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held on October 29, 2022, at the UAW Local 1284 at 2795 M-52 in Chelsea, MI, at 3:00 pm with a time for sharing at 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Center, https://stlouiscenter.org/ or Arbor Hospice https://www.arborhospice.org/.
Click here to watch the memory video of Dick's life
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Comments
To say you’ll be missed is an understatement. Your love for my sister will always be first and foremost why I loved you so much. Thank you for being an amazing husband. There are so many memories I’ll forever hold close to my heart.
Thank you for being the life of the party especially with that precious laugh of yours!!
XOXO
EmYo
Jane Lytle-Vieira
Everyone loved him .he was such a joy to waite on .je was very true to pinckney chrysler.when he came in you would think he worked here .he was a friend and will truly be missed.may you rest in peace my friend
They say "cousins are your first friends". I believe that.
I'll miss you dear cousin.