Richard D. Root

Richard D. Root of Shelby Township, a U.S. Army veteran, musician, animal lover and original Woodward Dream Cruiser, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025 at a Utica care facility. He was 84. Richard was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Oct. 31, 1940. He moved with his family to metro Detroit in the 1950s and graduated from Berkley High School in 1959. The inscription under his yearbook photo captured him perfectly: “He seeks a merry world.” Richard entered Army basic training shortly after high school and served as a security dog handler on the island of Okinawa. He also played saxophone in the Army band, and supported himself as a musician when he returned to the States. His longest-running band, “The Tempters,” played venues throughout the Detroit area in the 1960s, including Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. He was delighted last year to find an old poster from one his gigs framed at Duggan’s Irish Pub on Woodward, where he spent many nights cruising in souped-up cars with his buddies. After late nights on the bandstand proved incompatible with a young family, Richard became a delivery truck driver and stalwart union member for many years before joining Scheer’s Ace Hardware in Oak Park as a manager in the hardware department. His customers loved him for his gregarious personality and sense of humor until the day he retired. He truly was “the helpful hardware man.” After losing his first wife, Sharon, to breast cancer in 2000 after 33 years of marriage, Richard was fortunate enough to find his second great love, Gayle, in 2003. They were set up by mutual friends -– a car show was involved, of course -- and were married in August 2004 at Baker’s in Milford. Richard enjoyed corny jokes, cold beer, grilling outside and dressing up every year on his Halloween birthday. He was an avid newspaper reader, World War II history buff and an unapologetic liberal with compassion for all. He loved animals and muscle cars almost as much as his family. His most recent canine companion, a beautiful cream Golden retriever named Brody, was a comfort in his final years. And he truly mourned when he was no longer able to drive his pristine 2008 Roush Mustang that blew away challengers every year at the Dream Cruise. But we know he is at peace now, somewhere on the open road in a turbocharged classic with Bob Seger blasting on the radio. Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Gayle Root; daughters, Kelley Guthrie (Dave Spratt) and Amber Root; stepchildren, Jenny and Jeremy Dean, Jenn King, and Michael King; grandchildren, Grace, Caitlin (Shane), Geoffrey (Amanda), Nick, Carly, Kendelle, Addison, Alyssa, and Trevor; great-grandchildren, William, Ryan and Noah; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Ken Gahman; sister-in-law, Mary Pecktol; in-laws, Wanda and Jeff Ratledge and Alan Smith; godson and goddaughter, Bryan Golemba and Gretchen O’Neill; dear friends, Mike and Sheila Avery; and many other relatives, nieces and nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Sharon Root; son-in-law, Doug Guthrie; brother-in-law, William Pecktol; mother, Dorothy McRath; stepfather, Robert McRath; and father, Richard Root Sr. Contributions honoring Richard’s memory, if desired, may be made in his name to the Michigan Humane Society. Memorial visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 and a memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24 at Wujek Calcaterra Funeral Home, 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Road, Shelby Township, with luncheon to follow.

Richard D. Root

October 31, 1940 - April 17, 2025