Richard Michaels passed away on September 3 in Wausau, Wisconsin, after having lived a full life of 99 years.

He was the son of Samuel and Helen (Satut), Lebanese immigrants who settled in Ironwood in pursuit of the American dream, to forge a better life for their eventual eight children, all of whom preceded Richard in death. A graduate of Luther L. Wright High School, he was drafted in World War II, serving in the Army in the Pacific theater. After returning to Ironwood, he became a small business owner, all while caring for his bedridden mother following debilitating strokes. He enjoyed leadership roles in the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Lions Club.

In 1967, President Johnson appointed Richard to be the postmaster in Ironwood. He later became postmaster in Appleton and was promoted to the U.S. Postal Service senior executive service in Wausau. A member of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, he was elected to various state and national positions.

Richard is survived by his devoted wife, Julie, of Wausau, and his son, Rich, a senior U.S. diplomat serving as charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Lome, Togo.

Richard always cherished Ironwood, a city that afforded him and his family so many opportunities and lifelong memories. His funeral service was held at St. Simon Orthodox Church in Ironwood, and he was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery next to his beloved parents.