Maurice Richard Petit

Maurice Richard (Dick) Petit who resided in Carmel, Indiana, and also had a home in Bluewater Bay, Florida, passed away Wednesday August 11, 2010 at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California. He had been visiting his daughters in Los Gatos and Pleasanton California when he became ill. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Miriam, and his nine children and 25 grandchildren: Dana Petit Duncheon and husband Charlie, along with Casey, Sydney and Dagney Duncheon; Van Petit, along with Elizabeth Petit Faist, 1st Lt Kathleen Petit USMC, and Caroline Petit; Bruce Petit and wife Kelly, along with Eric and Maureen Petit; Risa Petit Koziol and husband Mark, along with Kali, Elli, Kurt, Chet and Grant Koziol; Marta Petit Holt and husband Wayne, Cara Petit Schaafsma and husband Doug, along with Emma, Cal, Mina, Ty and Audra Schaafsma; Gina Petit Hagelskamp and husband John, along with Mick, Maggie and Abby Hagelskamp; Rex Petit and wife Julie, along with Hannah, Camryn, Marisa, and Ryan Petit; Troy Petit and wife Patricia. A daughter, Lora Kay Petit, died in infancy in 1961. Dick was born on November 14, 1924 in Champaign, Illinois, and was the son of Charles and Eulalia Petit, decea...[more]

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, and the brother of Charles E. Petit, Jr., Lafayette, Indiana. Dick enlisted in the Navy in l942 and served in World War II as a rear gunner on a Catalina submarine patrol aircraft based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He was subsequently transferred from Hawaii to Officer Training School at Purdue University, where he graduated in l947 and was Commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Active Reserve. He then entered lU. School of Law in Indianapolis and graduated in 195l . He was recalled to service in the Korean War, leaving the same day he was sworn in as a new attorney. For two years he operated on a Destroyer Escort out of Newport Rhode Island. He was then transferred to New York City in a Supervisor of Shipbuilding. He maintained his status as an Active Naval Reservist with an Indianapolis, Indiana JAG Unit, and retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander in 1975. Upon returning from his Korean War service in 1954, Dick served as a Felony Deputy Prosecutor in Marion County, and subsequently opened a law office in Indianapolis. He moved that office to Carmel in the early 1980's. His family was always the most important part of Dick's life. They spent many fun-filled summers together at Lake Tippecanoe, with dad always anxious to be a part of their swimming, fishing, boating, skiing, and sailing activities. The family continued their vacation visits by spending many beautiful days at his beloved Blue Water Bay home in Niceville,Flordia. The family sends their thanks for all past friendships from neighbors, associates, attorneys, and clients he worked with over the years, Woodland Country Club golf and lunch friends, Indiana Senior Golf Association Members, and everyone who touched his heart with their friendship. Dick was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel, Indiana, and Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville, Florida. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church at 14598 Oakridge Road. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, 900 N. Rangeline Road in Carmel, Indiana. Any donations in Dick's name may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School or to the Purdue University St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.