Joseph Richard Adelsbach

Joseph (Rick) Adelsbach, age 84, of Washington Township, MI, passed away peacefully in his home on February 2, 2025. Rick was a loving husband and father, always leading by example and instilling a strong work ethic, faith, and purpose to his children. He was born on March 28, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan. As a young man he was an Eagle Scout, and later, Scoutmaster of Troop 309. Upon graduating St. Joseph’s High School in Detroit, he enrolled into the US Army, and went on to become a member of the Military Police. After his service, he began a career in retail banking, first at Public Bank and later at the Bank of the Commonwealth (now Comerica Bank) where he was named one of its youngest Vice Presidents. In retrospect, Rick said that the best outcome of his banking career was when he met Gloria, who was working as a bank teller to help pay for her nursing school. Two years later they wed and began to start their family. Gloria was the love of Rick’s life and family was their absolute priority. They fostered four children; giving these children a safe and loving home in a time of turbulence. Later their family expanded, first with a daughter, Sunny, and then three sons, Joseph, Chris, and Patrick. Their evenings and weekends were characterized by family dinners, weekend BBQ’s, birthdays, family trips to North Carolina, and supporting their children’s activities. Rick doted upon Gloria and, as they aged, became her primary carer, ensuring her final years were lived in love and dignity. In 1976 Rick pivoted his career into education and accepted a role at Macomb Community College, as Director of the Student Union. This role eventually necessitated a move, and the family relocated to Clinton Township from Young Street in Detroit. There he immersed himself and his family in the local community. The Adelsbach’s were active members of St Louis Church where Rick regularly dispatched ‘random acts of kindness’ often with his (reluctant) children in tow. He was a man of action, that endeavored to live the word of God through his treatment of others, especially those in need. At age 45, he graduated from Northwood University became the first in his family to earn a university degree. He went on to earn a Masters degree from Central Michigan University at age 49. Juggling full time work and family commitments while earning two degrees was no small feat, as his grown children can now appreciate. Rick finished his career at Macomb Community College as the Director of the Criminal Justice and Firefighting Academy. During the near decade running this academy, he was a key driver for the funding of the Macomb Burn Center – which helped train countless firefighters with how to tackle various fire challenges. Rick loved boating and he loved Lake St Clair. He spent many long summers days with his family and ‘boating buddies’ aboard his boat, ‘Royal Brook’. He taught his children to waterski and was proud that we all managed to get up before our third attempt! Rick continued taking part in waterskiing well into his 60’s until a hamstring injury convinced him it was time to focus on driving the boat! One of his favorite day trips was through the Old South Channel and his name is engraved on a small bronze plaque in the rear lighthouse (note to future Adelsbachs). Rick was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gloria and daughter, Sunny Hunter. He is survived by children, Joe Adelsbach (Paul), Patrick Adelsbach (Jen), Chris Adelsbach (Emily), son in-law Patrick Hunter (Clara), and sister, Heidi D’harte (Charles). He was a proud grandfather to Meghan, Jakob (Samantha), Ezri, Jude, Maizen, Rydel, Oliver, Alexander, and Grace, and great-grandfather to Owen and Eleanor. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Monica and brother, Tom Adelsbach (Ingrid). A funeral service to honor Rick’s life will be held on Thursday, February 20 at 11:00am with additional visitation before Mass beginning at 10:00AM at St. John and Paul Catholic Church, located at 7777, 28 Mile Road (west of Campground Road) in Washington, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen: https://www.cskdetroit.org/more-than-about-food - a charity long supported by Rick. Rick Adelsbach will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. They take comfort knowing that in his final weeks he had the daily support of his amazing home-carer team and regular check-ins by his family. Rick never lost his appetite and always appreciated Joe’s homemade soup and spaghetti sauce! Patrick lightened his day with visits from his grandchildren, Pat (Hunter) was a saint, always looking out for his well-being and acknowledging that Rick was a friend, not just a father-in-law. And Chris relishes the memories when Rick visited London this past July to attend Oliver and Alex’s confirmation and, near the end, simply talking with him and reading local news to him from The Macomb Daily. Rick was a man of principle with a great capacity to love and lead by example. We will miss him dearly, but he will forever be in our hearts.

Joseph Richard Adelsbach

March 28, 1940 - February 3, 2025