- Date Of Birth: November 2, 1923
- Date Of Death: June 3, 2008
- State: Michigan
Richard Vavra, 84, of Three Oaks, Michigan died Tuesday morning, June 3, 2008 at St. Anthony Hospital, Michigan City, Indiana.
Richard was born November 2, 1923 in Union Pier to Joseph and Bessie (Novacek) Vavra. He attended Union Pier Elementary School and graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1940. Richard served with the 94th Infantry Division during World War II in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge, a Distinguished Unit Badge, American Theatre Ribbon, EAME Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, and the Victory Medal. He attained the rank of Captain.
Richard was a member of American Legion Post 204 of Three Oaks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New Buffalo. After the war, Richard returned to Michigan State University and received a B.A. degree in Journalism and was awarded an M.A. degree from DePaul University in Chicago. Richard taught for 35 years in area schools, starting in 1950 at New Buffalo High School and then at New Troy and Buchanan High School. He finished his career at River Valley High School. Upon retirement, Richard remained in the community he loved and also enjoyed working on the family farm.
Richard is survived by his wife, Geraldine (Pionke), whom he married April 3, 1948 in Chicago; children; Donna (Richard) Vavra-Musser, Mary Vavra, Irene (John) Sinner, Andrew (Gloria) Vavra, and Carol Vavra, and brothers, Joseph of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Donald of Buford, Georgia. He will be missed by his grandchildren; David Vavra, Kate Vavra-Musser, Michael Bowen, Kevin, Sarah and Alex Keen, Stuart and Hannah Vavra, and great grandchildren, Tyler and Abigail Vavra, and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and grandchild, Emily Vavra.
