In the early morning hours of Friday, April 19th, Richard James Crossland VII entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In his last hours, bravely battling melanoma and lymphoma, he was surrounded by his loving wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Born in Marion, Ohio, on November 13, 1943, to Richard James Crossland and Mary Beth (Taggart) Crossland, Dick grew up in East Palestine and graduated from East Palestine High School in 1961. He pursued an undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering from Case Institute of Technology graduating in 1965. While there he was a member of the varsity basketball team and Beta Theta Pi fraternity.  It was there that Dick met the love of his life, Joyce Matos.  They married in September of 1965, and started their family with the birth of their first daughter Catherine a few years later. He went on to earn an MBA from Western Reserve just before the birth of their second daughter, Christy.

Dick had a successful career in the Lighting Industry, holding various positions and culminating as a CEO/President. He was known for his leadership in turnarounds and profit improvement efforts in companies such as GE, ITT, Brush Wellman, SK Wellman, Philips Lighting, Durotest, and Thomas Lighting. His career took the Crossland family across the United States leaving a lasting impact on the industry. All of Dick's professional accomplishments are impressive and noteworthy, but his greatest joy was his family and the greatest titles he ever held were those of Husband, Dad, & Pop! Regardless of where they lived, The Crossland family called Bay View Michigan home during the summer months. This was a family tradition passed down from Dick's grandmother. Dick formed lifelong friendships during his summers on the shores of Northern Michigan. He passed on this tradition and slice of heaven to his daughters and eventually his grandchildren. Bay View was truly home for Dick where he shared his heart, time and talents serving on many committees and groups within the Bay View Association. In retirement, Dick and Joyce moved back to Ohio to be close to family where they remained for almost 10 years before Dick's love of the sun and warm weather drew them to Florida.  They found an amazing community in Englewood; Boca Royale where Dick joined a bridge group, a book club, and spearheaded the pickleball group resulting in committed pickleball courts.  If you knew Dick, you knew of his love for pickleball which began when Bay View friend, Steve Turkle, introduced him to the game. Affectionately known by some as "Father Pickleball" Dick took a leading role in bringing the sport to Bay View.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce (Matos), daughters: Catherine (Hauschild), and Christy (Woods); sons-in-law: Bill Hauschild & Matt Woods; Grandchildren: Walker Hauschild, Emma Hauschild, Bryce Woods, Brock Woods & Campbell Hauschild. The only thing that topped his love for pickleball was his love and devotion to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Raymond Taggart "Tag", and grandson William Taggart "Tag" Hauschild. A Celebration of Life for Dick will be held on July 27 at 9:30 am in Bay View, MI, in the tent on campus.  Following the Celebration of Life, we will all head to the Bay View woods pickleball courts to play the game that Dick loved so very much! Come in your pickleball attire. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Dick to The Bay View Association Recreation Program (earmarked for Pickleball): The Bay View Association, 1715 Encampment Ave, P.O. Box 583, Petoskey, MI 49770.

Bay View Association
1715 Encampment Ave, P.O. Box 583, Petoskey MI 49770
Web: https://www.bayviewassociation.org/give-a-gift/