Richard “Dick” Donovan

Richard “Dick” Eugene Donovan Jr., 83, of Escanaba passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024 at UP Health System in Marquette.

Dick was born November 18, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Richard and Dorothy (Katzenbach) Donovan. He graduated in 1959 from Randolph High School in Englewood, Ohio. He continued his education at the University of Dayton, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree. Dick remained in Ohio for several years working for Monsanto Research Corporation in Centerville. He moved in 1969 to work for McDonnell Douglas Corporation in California, where he worked on the DC-10 project and wrote non-destructive manuals for testing plane parts. Dick moved to the UP in 1973. He worked as an unemployment claims examiner for the State of Michigan for many years, retiring in 2001. In 1974 he bought property on County Road 513 in Stonington and started building his house in 1975. Dick had a passion for radio controlled airplanes. He started the Bay Area Radio Control Club in 1980 with 5 – 10 members; they used the Hyde flying field to fly their planes. It is still in use to this day. He was also a part of the National Organization for Radio Controlled Models.

Dick is survived by his sister, Barbara Jacobsen; sister-in-law, Patricia Donovan; nieces, Christine Bal, Karen (Bill) Martinson, Carol (Marty) Hall, Cheryl (Sue) Jacobsen, Trischa Donovan; nephews, Robert Donovan, Michael Donovan Jr, Aaron (Hannah Perkins) Donovan, and Henry Donovan and several great nieces and nephews.