Richard "Dick" Derengowski

Age 94, died Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at McLaren-Flint. The funeral service will take place 1:00 pm, Monday, January 20, 2025, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services. Pastor Douglas Tipton officiating with cremation to follow. Richard’s family will be present at the funeral home on Sunday to receive friends from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. And again on Monday from 12:00 noon until the time of the funeral at 1:00 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Richard’s tribute wall on martinfuneralhome.com. 

Richard “Dick” was born on March 2, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Walter and Eva (Wenclowski) Grodowski. Educated locally, Dick graduated from Mt. Morris High School with the class of 1949. He met the love of his life, Shirley Badgley in the 9th grade, the young couple dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on October 1, 1949, in Ohio. Sadly, Shirley preceded him in death on January 28, 2011, after 63 years of marriage. 

After graduation, Dick would earn a degree in Tool & Die from the General Motors Institute in Flint while working for AC as a Tool & Die Maker. Dick proudly worked for AC for 43 years, retiring in 1993. After retiring, AC would enlist him as a consultant on their Tool & Die making committee, designing and testing experimental tools. As a teenager, he was a Golden Gloves Boxer and played football for Mt. Morris High School. Dick was a family man, and a proud father and grandpa. Spending time with his family was most important to him, especially traveling to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was a handyman who built two homes that he raised his family in. He also enjoyed crafting with his wife, Shirley creating stained glass. 

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Rick Derengowski, Denise Dillon, Lisa and husband, Glenn Smith; 13 grandchildren: Ryan (Eileen) Derengowski, Trisha (George) Douros, Liam (Rachel) Dillon, Danielle Derengowski, Christina Dillon-Yott, Nathan Derengowski, Jeffrey Derengowski, Tim Derengowski, Shawn Dillon, Christopher (Olivia) Tipton, Stephanie (Fernando Escobedo) Tipton, Melissa (Dr. Ralph Becker) Devine, Matthew (Sara Muñoz) Derengowski; 16 great-grandchildren: Alexia Douros, Christina Douros, Dimitrios Douros, Leita Yott, Ethan Buer, Jayden Devine, Audrey Dillon, Jordynn Devine, Nora Derengowski, Bronson Popham, Madelyn Dillon, Jeffrey Derengowski, Henry Popham, Claire Derengowski, Elijah Derengowski, Mariella Escobedo; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Natalia Douros-Albanice, Laken Yott, and Kingston Douros; and many nieces; nephews; and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; and his three sons: Jeffrey, Terry, and Robert Derengowski; brother, Eugene Derengowski.