It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lifetime Member and our companies Chaplain, Reverend Richard "Dick" L. Michael. He became a member of our fire company in 1972 after moving to our community to serve the St. James Lutheran Church on S. Benedum Street. Dick served many roles within our company during his 50 years of service with us. He served as Chief for one year, then Ambulance/EMS Captain as one of our volunteer ALS providers (CRT) in the 70's. He also served most of his fire service with us as the company Chaplain and was a member of the Honor Guard. Dick was also honored in 2017 as he was inducted into the CCVESA "Hall of Fame".

The officers and members of the Union Bridge Fire Company, Inc. extend our heartfelt condolences to the Michael Family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 5:00 PM, after a visitation being held between 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Hartzler Funeral Home on Broadway Street in Union Bridge.

Obituary:

Reverend Richard LeRoy Michael, age 76, a longtime pastor from Union Bridge, MD, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, with his wife and son at his side. Born September 26, 1946, in Hanover, PA, he was the son of the late LeRoy Michael and Pearl Knipple Michael. Twice married, his first wife was Carolyn A. Michael, who predeceased him in 2004. His second wife, of 9 years, is Eva Stone Michael. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Thomas Michael (Catherine) of Alexandria, VA, Jennifer Michael (Tyrone Webb) of Baltimore and Tiffany Michael (Jack) of Beijing, China; stepson, Matthew Tyburski (Irene) of Towson; grandchildren, Parker, Wesley and Carolyn Michael, Anastasia Farley, Joshua Webb, Cora and Chloe Tyburski; brothers, James Michael (Etsuko) and Scott Michael (Carol); and numerous nieces and nephews. Dick was a graduate of West York High School, Shippensburg College and Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary. He moved with his family to Union Bridge in 1972 and served only two congregations, St. James Lutheran Church, Union Bridge, where he served for 45 years and was honored as pastor emeritus, and Mt. Union Lutheran Church, near Union Bridge, where he served for 24 years. He retired in 2018. Next year he would have been ordained for 50 years. He was the first chaplain for Carroll Lutheran Village and continued to serve on their board for 20 years. He started volunteering in the fire department at the age of 14 with companies in West York and Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and eventually Union Bridge, where he served in numerous capacities over the years. He was recently honored for 50 years of service by the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife enjoyed dividing their time between Union Bridge and Millsboro, DE. Dick enjoyed his pets, historical reading, country roads and model trains. Dick was truly a "Country Parson" who loved his God, his church community and the community of mankind. May his humble, gentle, unassuming, and loving spirit always bring comfort and live on. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hartzler Funeral Home, 6 E. Broadway, Union Bridge, where a fire department memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Visitation will also be on Sunday, November 27 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 701 Green Valley Rd., New Windsor, with a funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. Bishop William J. Gohl and Rev. Virgil Cain will officiate. Private interment will be in Mt. Union Cemetery, near Union Bridge.