September 25, 2023
REST IN PEACE
Richard Strife, 87, passed away on September 25, 2023. Richard was born in 1936 in Croghan, New York. He entered St. Joseph's Seraphic Seminary at the age of 13, joining the Franciscan order. After years of ministry Richard discerned this was not his adult vocation and left the order, pursuing a PhD in Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. While studying there he met his beloved wife, Doris. They moved to Vermont, where they gardened and raised chickens (it was the 70’s); there Richard helped pioneer Vermont’s Community Mental Health services. After Vermont there were years as a counseling psychologist in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. A move to Michigan followed, where he led Ministry to People with Disabilities for the Lansing Catholic diocese for many years, and served at the Diocesan Tribunal. After retirement, when his cherished daughter Anne became too ill he joined with Doris to raise his beloved grandson Koya. Richard was kind, gentle, and funny. He carried the Franciscan ethos throughout his life; cultivating humility and simplicity. He provided spiritual direction for some truly remarkable men and women of faith. He took care to know the name of every cashier at ShopRite, holding great value in the power of courtesy and everyday kindness. He found God in silence and the dark, and after carrying his family through so much we rest assured he now has true rest in the love of God. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary, father Woodrow, sister Margaret, and daughter Anne. He is survived by his wife Doris, sister Elizabeth, son Joseph, and grandson Koya. Funeral services will be held at 11am, Saturday September 30th, at the Catholic Community of St. Jude in DeWitt, MI. A Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 from 6pm-8pm with a rosary at 7:00pm at The Palmer Bush & Jensen, Family Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel 520 E. Mt. Hope Lansing Mi 48910.