Rich “Dickie”, 63, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2024.  He was born on July 23, 1961 in Jackson, MI to Richard D. Kinch, Sr. and Beverly L. (Cuff) Kinch.  Rich was raised and lived in Jackson his whole life, graduating from Western High School, and attending the Jackson Area Career Center.  After high school, he worked in the automotive repair business his entire career.  He helped build and maintain several businesses in this time, and was currently employed by Dale’s Auto and Truck Service as their service writer and shop manager.  Rich was extremely successful in his field and had customers who had been with him for many decades.  He had a gift of being able to communicate and interact easily with everyone which led him to be very well known in the industry.  He had a great reputation for his honesty and integrity, building many career long relationships.  During his childhood and younger years, Rich loved dirt bike racing, snowmobiling, pond hockey, fishing, hunting and contesting in horse shows with his first love of horse-power, his speed pony Bullet.  In later years, he enjoyed bowling, RC Car racing, and great cookouts and days poolside.  

Nothing matched his favorite thing to do.  He followed in his dad’s footsteps and had a huge love of stock car racing.  He used to go watch his dad race, and that excitement never left him.  Rich started out with just the basics, He had some tools, a few tires and a “somewhat” trusty trailer.  There were no fancy paint jobs or graphics.  His mom hand lettered his first car. Eventually with lots of hard work and support from his parents, his brother Shawn, brother-in-law Tom, nephew Rob and many close others he built RK Motorsports.  It started with racing street stocks at Butler, then the Detroit Irons at Springport Speedway and finally hitting the dirt tracks with the Midwest Outlaw Circuit.  Not only did Rich love to race for that checkered flag, he really enjoyed promoting racing.  Many young drivers started behind the wheel of the famous #63 or in Richard’s garage learning how to build and maintain a car.  In his last years, he organized the year end banquets for his racing circuit.  Rich worked on sponsorships, advertising, acquired the trophies, and door prizes and help run the ceremony.  Rich truly had a huge passion for all things racing and grabbing the checkered flag.

Rich was a true friend to all and will be missed by many.  He is survived by his siblings Jerry & Tom Miller, Chuck & Robin Walling, Sharon Kinch, Vickie & Mike Darrow, Dawn & Greg Miller, and Shawn & Michelle Kinch, as well as his nephew Rob Walling, that was more like his son, and step-daughter Kayla.  Others who will miss him are Uncle Bob & Kathy Kinch, Aunt Nancy Kinch, and Aunt Linda Johns, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Rich also leaves behind his friend and companion Kathy Belt, Her children Kendra, and Cortland and their families. His faithful dog, Harvey, also two former wives, Ann and Tracy. We can never possibly list the  friends who will miss him, but those that were part of his garage buddies are his little brother Shawn, his brother-in-law Tom, his nephew Rob, cousin Tom along with Mike Curtis, Dale Lewis, Scott & Roy Gilmore, Mike Mericle, Quinten Bethke, Jeremy Lutz, Steven Tinney and his late buddy Tom Rench, Sr.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the Michigan Center Eagles Club.  Arrangements are being handled by Watson Funeral Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be given as a passing dish on the 21st or may be left in his race helmet at the celebration on Life.  Any donations will go to cover Rich’s end of life expenses. Plans are pending for a memorial race event for family and friends in warmer weather.