By Deborah Larsen
Richard Henry “Dick” Affeldt
Richard Henry “Dick” Affeldt was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on May 10, 1922, the son of Henry and Ethel Ochs Affeldt. His father died when Dick was 10 years old, and a few years later, his mother married Rev. Edwin Knorr. At the time, Rev. Knorr was serving as the pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Avon Township.
In May 1943, Dick entered the U.S. Navy. After training, he was stationed aboard the destroyer USS Hulbert. During the time that Dick was aboard, the Hulbert acted as an escort ship to guard vessels that were joining the Allied attack fleet in the Far East. The ship also conducted rescue missions and was credited with rescuing a dozen naval aviators during this time. Dick was released from military service in March 1946.
After the war, Dick married, worked in manufacturing, and made his home in Wayne County.
Richard Henry Affeldt died at age 87 on September 8, 2009, and was laid to rest in Livonia, Michigan.