Nationally prominent automotive dealer, businessman, community, and industry leader Richard F. “Dick” Huvaere passed away on Feb. 16 surrounded by his family in Key Largo, FL from a decade-long fight with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 72.
Huvaere owned Dick Huvaere’s Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram SRT Mopar in Richmond, located in northern Macomb County. He was a third-generation member of the Rotary Club, a member of the Detroit Yacht Club, and supported numerous charities in metro Detroit.
“We lost our father, buddy, and best friend – and the industry and community lost a dynamic leader – but we are inspired by his vision to always strive for the best, always make things better, and always put the customer and community first,” says his son, Ryan Roscia, president and dealer principal at Dick Huvaere Chrysler, which he acquired from his father.
A native of Detroit, Huvaere, along with his family and team, grew a small rural auto dealership into one of the five largest dealership businesses in the nation. The company became the foundation and inspiration for other businesses with strong community and charity engagements.
“There is no question my father’s advice, training, and support are at the core of our cultural projects in Detroit,” says his son, Jason Huvaere, principal of Detroit-based Paxahau, an event production company in Detroit that produces dozens of events each year, including Movement, a globally recognized music festival that draws tens of thousands from around the world to Detroit every Memorial Day weekend. “That gave him great pleasure, as he deeply loved Detroit.”
As one of the nation’s most successful dealers, Dick Huvaere served for nearly four decades as a trustee, and more than a decade as chairman, of the Michigan Auto Dealers Self-insured Fund, which has close to 600 members.
Huvaere was well-known for his constant push for community and charity engagements, which always came with his humor and a twinkle in his eyes that put even strangers at immediate ease forging deep personal bonds of friendship, value, and trust. At times, he was fond of wearing a clown’s red rubber nose to put new friends at ease.
“We pause today to honor his memory, celebrate his vitality, and remember his spirit that touched all of our hearts, minds, and funny bones,” Roscia says. “We take strength in continuing his vision and legacy to be our personal best, and to make the best of every day and every personal contact.”
Huvaere is survived by his wife Stephanie; sons Jason, Ron, and Ryan; daughter Sara, and three grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The family asks that contributions be made to the Huvaere Family Endowed Scholarship at Northwood University in Midland, in lieu of flowers.
