Michael Rich-Bey

September 12, 1949 - February 12, 2020

Michael Vernon Rich was born on September 12, 1949 in York, Pennsylvania to Otis and Delores Rich, both of whom preceded him in death. Michael was raised in Inkster, Michigan where he graduated from Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He later joined the Moorish Science Temple of America where he adopted the name Rich-Bey and held the highest position of National Secretary. Michael had a hunger for knowledge. That hunger led him to enroll in Madonna University, where he received a Bachelors in Social Work with high honors. He went on to enroll at Wayne State University where he received his Masters of Social Work in 2000 and served on the Board of Directors of Social Work and simultaneously worked at Wayne County Community College and the Neighborhood Service Organization (N.S.O.) where he met and married Barbara Harris. Michael was awarded many many honors for the programs he was in charge of at Wayne County Community College up until his retirement in 2012. In 2015, was the first person to receive a successful double lung transplant and was the poster boy for the Gift of Life Foundation. He touched so many lives because education was very important to him. It was said, "If you want to go to school, go and to Mr. Rich-Bey, he can and will help you" Michael loved to conversate with any and everyone that crossed his path. He loved being our big brother and we loved that too!! He will forever be in our hearts and always on our minds. Michael leaves to cherish is memory, wife Barbara Harris Rich; five brothers, Otis Rich, Salah Steven Rich (Monica), Rodney Rich, Darryl Rich (Carol) and David Rich (Teri); four sisters, Jennifer Ward, Cassandra Rich Barnes, Gloria Rich D'Junge and Joanie Rich as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.