Richard Georgi

Richard Evans Georgi, aka Dick, REG, and inexplicably Ricardo, recently passed away at the age of 79 or 77 or 75 depending on when you met him and under what circumstances. Dick was gregarious, charming, indefatigable and stubborn. Skiing was the first love of his life and the root of hi self-confidence. He had a zest for travel, beautiful women, fast cars, yachting, vodka and risk taking. Dick is mourned and missed by his family and by many close friends.

Dick was a pioneer in skiing, skiing instruction, and ski resort management and development. Starting in Sun Valley, Idaho near where he grew up, he became a proficient skier at a young age and left home at 16 with $100 and a Ford coupe to ski race at Snow King in Jackson, WY. He later dropped out of school to ski full time. After a stint Aspen Mountain, Dick eventually ended up as a certified ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain where he married his first wife, Lucretia Elledge, in 1959. Shortly thereafter Dick, by this time having become recognized as one of the most 'beautiful' skiers by his peers, set out on his own by establishing the Dick Georgi Ski School at a small mountain in Pennsylvania named Dentin Hill. From there he was made the president of the Blue Knob ski resort at the age of 24, where he led the redevelopment of an old air force base into one of the latest ski resorts in the region. During this period he and "Lu" had three children, Teresa, Richard and Johnny.

He later moved to northern Michigan to open more Dick Georgi Ski Schools and establish the Schuss Mountain ski mountain. He introduced French and Austrian ski techniques to the nascent American ski market. Eventually he made his way into the real estate development business at ski resorts and dedicated the rest of his career to developing, selling and managing resort real estate under the banner of Ski & Shore Real Estate which became the #1 brokerage house in northern Michigan. He also opened offices in Vail, Colorado which had become his second home since 1969. He later took up a love for boating - first sailing and then power boating. When he sold Ski & Shore in 1987 he bought a larger boat and toured the Mediterranean for the better part of the next 20 years, always returning to Charlevoix for long stretches.

Dick established a life in Charlevoix, Ml - his primary home for 40 years. It was there that he met and married his second wife, Cheryl Murphy, in 1974. Dick and Cheryl were married for 22 and very socially active in Charlevoix as well as inviting many of their local friends to yacht with them in the Mediterranean. Dick was so fond of Charlevoix that he encouraged his family to join him in Northern Michigan. Eventually, from two states and one foreign country, both his parents and all of his siblings relocated to Charlevoix. Charlevoix also became home to Ski & Shore headquarters as well as other diverse business ventures.

Dick became involved in the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, Charlevoix Circle of Arts, International Lion’s Club, and Charlevoix Country Club. Weather permitting he played tennis daily, regularly entertained friends and family, and continued to work and maintain an office in Charlevoix until 2013.

Dick passed away peacefully on January 11, 2017 in Denver, CO. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Richard Evans Georgi and Shirley May Fischer Georgi. His survivors include three children by his first wife, Teresa Georgi, Richard Georgi Jr and Johnny Georgi; four grandchildren, Ayden, Kellen, Maya and Hugo Georgi; brothers Chris Georgi and John Georgi; a sister Evan Georgi; and his former spouses, Lucretia Georgi Adams and Cheryl Georgi McVey.

A memorial party dedicated to his life (at his request) will be held in Charlevoix, during the month of August 2017. If you wish, donations may be made to Charlevoix Circle of Arts or the charity of your choice.