Eric Geoffrey Darscheid

Eric G. Darscheid of Richland, age 61, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, and “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.”

Eric was born February 7, 1965, to John Michael and Charlene M. (Hayes) Darscheid. He shared his birthday with his dad. Eric was raised in Flint, Michigan, where he was placed in the talented and gifted program. He patrolled the neighborhood on his Stingray and was a stalwart protector of the underdog. Eric was always mechanically inclined; by the age of 18, he was already a Certified Master Mechanic and had customized a Speedway racing snowmobile. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1983.

His career began in the service department at Tidey Chevrolet in Marshall. He had a "need for speed" and bought an early production 1984 Kawasaki Ninja 900, vanquishing many unsuspecting street challengers. His mechanical aptitude was always in high demand, and he spent many years within the service departments of various truck and powersports dealerships, including M & M Motormall, before eventually transitioning into sales at DeNooyer Chevrolet. He was proud to work for GM, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a professor at the General Motors Institute.

After retiring in 2012, Eric enjoyed lake living with his Labrador Retrievers and his fishing boat, Doc Holiday. He poured himself into remodeling his cottage, taking great care to transform it with his own hands into a place that was truly his own. Whether he was working on the house or customizing Jeeps in his barn, Eric had a talent for rebuilding anything he touched. He eventually ran a Jeep business from that barn for several years, always ready to lend a helping hand and pass his knowledge down to the next generation. A man of the outdoors, he was most at home in “God’s country,” whether he was pheasant hunting with his dogs or camping under the stars.

His career and hobbies, however, took a backseat to his greatest source of pride: his kids, Natalie and Wyatt, and recently his granddaughter, Savannah. He passed along his love for the woods and water, snowmobiling, and the companionship of a good bird dog. Eric was intelligent, knowledgeable, and always willing to take charge. He was loving, possessed a sarcastic sense of humor, and always had a joke to tell. On his last birthday, Eric said, “I’ve always lived my life with no fear, at full throttle.”

Eric is survived by his daughter, Natalie Darscheid; son, Wyatt Darscheid; granddaughter, Savannah; brother, Kevin (Amy) Darscheid; and mother, Charlene Hayes. He was preceded in death by his father, Mike Darscheid; and grandparents, Chuck and Muriel Hayes, and Lou and Louise Darscheid.

Godspeed, Eric.

Eric’s family will gather at a later date for a lakeside service to remember him, commit his remains to the earth, and his soul to heaven.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care Richland Chapel. Personal memories of Eric or personal messages for Eric’s family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.