Thomas Richard "Dick" Hunt

Thomas Richard (Dick) Hunt, 81, a life-long resident of Waterman, IL passed away in the comfort of his home on May 29, 2014, surrounded by family and friends. He was born November 12, 1932, at the Waterman Hospital to Harold and Doris (Kopp) Hunt. He leaves his daughter Susan Hunt-Ellis (Marius) Kamuela, HI, his two sons Stephen (Jenny) West Haven, UT and Scott (Cindy Carlstrom) Waterman, IL, and special friend Betty Hartman of Shabbona, IL.

He will be missed by his grandchildren Tyler (Samantha) Hunt of Waterman and Megan and Zachary Hunt of West Haven, Utah, great-granddaughter Ily Hunt of Waterman, (daughter of Tyler and Samantha) and his brother, Floyd Hunt of Waterman, IL. He is lovingly remembered by Samantha Dwyer-Zinober, Jamie Dwyer, Charlie Dwyer and several nieces and nephews.

Dick was a member and past elder of the Waterman Presbyterian Church and
Veteran of the Korean War. After being discharged from the Army National
Guard he followed in his father’s footsteps as Clinton Township Road Commissioner. He retired as Commissioner in 1995 after 27 years. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 654, a former commander, and was formally recognized for 60 years of participation. His membership with the ELKs was especially important to him. He really enjoyed Sunday golf outings and bowling night with his ELK buddies.

As a Waterman Volunteer Fireman he served as recording secretary for many years. He also coached Little League and was a Boy Scout Leader who planned and coordinated Pinewood Derbies and pancake fundraisers. His efforts were instrumental in organizing several scouting expeditions, bravely taking scouts canoeing into the wilderness of the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota and Canada.

As a young man he could often be found with his brothers at the roller skating rink or water skiing. In his later years, activities which occupied much of his time included riding his Harley, motorcycle trips to Sturgis, South Dakota, driving his Mustang convertible, playing golf, fishing, and hunting deer and coyotes.

He loved to travel and spent most of his post retirement winters with either his son
Steve in Utah or daughter Susan in Hawai‘i – sometimes both. Allowing Dad’s seasonal escape was son Scott, a third generation Road Commissioner, at home in the brutal cold and snow of the Midwest winter. When not discussing Hawai‘i or Utah, he shared stories and photos of his three trips to South Africa’s Kruger National Park with daughter Susan and son-in-law Marius. Following in their father’s footsteps his sons proudly served our country, enabling Dick to routinely visit homeports/duty stations in California, Connecticut, England, North Dakota, Nevada and Utah. With his daughter living in Hawai‘i several visits to Pearl Harbor were also made.

Immediate family preceding him in death were his parents Harold and Doris, sisters Dorothy Salerno and Rosalind Parrick, his brother Ronald Hunt and niece Colleen Narr.

A Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Waterman Presbyterian Church in Waterman, IL. Interment will follow with full Military Honors in the North Clinton Cemetery in Waterman, IL.

Friends may visit from 11:00 AM until the Hour of Service on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Waterman Presbyterian Church.