Richard A. 'Dick' Soetebier

HURLEY, Wis. — Richard A. “Dick” Soetebier, 85, of Ironwood, Mich., and Hurley, died suddenly at his home on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

Richard was born July 11, 1931, the son of Elsa and Alfred Soetebier of Hurley. The entire Soetebier family owned and operated the Royal Pastry Shop in downtown Ironwood. After graduating from Hurley High School in 1951, Richard attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, becoming a certified and trained baker. He managed a bakery in downtown Duluth, Minn., for several years before marrying Beverly Johnson of Minneapolis in 1954.

Richard and Beverly moved to Ironwood and together ran the Royal Pastry Shop until 1970. During that time, their children Richard A. and Mary Catherine were born. In 1970, Richard developed the Captain Jack Pasty business in Ironwood, which he eventually relocated to Bessemer, Mich. Richard retired from pasty production in 2007 and managed several rental properties in the Ironwood area under the title, Captain Jack Enterprises.

Richard loved his family, loved his business, loved his boat, loved classical music, and loved his dog, Gypsy. He requested that his dog’s ashes be buried with him. To those who knew him well, he was a “character” who loved to work and especially liked having someone work along side him. (“Hey, I’ve got a job for you”). His best friend was Mark Vukovich, his neighbor on Garvey Street. They were partners in saying and doing funny things together as well as helping friends and neighbors with equipment to fix or cars to repair. They always had an answer to your problem even if that answer was, “Better get professional help.”

Richard kept his boat at Black River Harbor many years before moving it to Saxon Harbor. His family takes great comfort in knowing that he never had to experience the sale or loss of his boat before his death.

His wife Beverly preceded him in death in 1994. His second wife, Mary Gotham of Ironwood, survives. Richard is also survived by his children, Richard A. Soetebier Jr. of Grain Valley, Mo., and Mary Catherine Stauffer (Jack), of Ishpeming, Mich. He has a grandson, Daniel Olson, of Marquette, Mich., and a stepdaughter, Katherine “Kaite” Brunwasser (Steven), of Nashville, Tenn. Richard’s parents and sister, Traule, preceded him in death, and his brothers, John “Jack” Soetebier (Virginia), Duluth, and William “Bill” Soetebier (Mary Wallace), Danbury, Conn., survive.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with Dr. Jack Fashbaugh officiating.

Luncheon will follow at the Bell Chalet in downtown Hurley.

Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Hope Animal Shelter, P.O Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938, is suggested.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.