Richard Morse Gaskill

Richard Morse Gaskill, age 90, passed away on April 21, 2026, supported by his loving family at Angela Hospice in Livonia, Michigan. Richard (Dick) was born on October 17, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, to his late parents Ralph Horton Gaskill and Ruthella (Morse) Gaskill.

A remarkable man, husband, and father, Dick will be remembered with love by his wife of 61 years, Peggy Elizabeth (Smith) Gaskill. Dick shared his love and adventures with sons Mark (Kelly) Gaskill and Alan Gaskill.

He was a proud and loving grandfather of Katelynn (Brian), Joseph and Jack, and great-grandfather of Maxwell and Emma.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas (Sharon) who in 1953, as a member of the University of Michigan Marching Band introduced Dick to William D. Revelli, Director of Bands. This meeting would be the start of Dick’s 65-year passion as the Official Photographer of the University of Michigan Band.

As a graduate of U of M in 1957, this volunteer relationship gave him countless personal and family memories through his love of photography, travel, sports, music, and his alma mater. He captured hundreds of thousands of images, traveled to 24 bowl games, and saw more than 400 home and away games, while missing only two home games over the years.

In 1992, Dick was inducted as an honorary lifetime member of the Band. In his typical humor, he liked to say that he was the “only Band member who never played a musical note.” One of his family’s most treasured photographs is the image he took of the Band spelling out “GASKILL” at Michigan Stadium.

His thousands of pictures, negatives and digital files have been donated to U of M’s Bentley Library for posterity.

When he retired from banking in 1993, Dick was challenged and then overjoyed by being able to find and own his Grandmother Ella’s 1929 Franklin automobile, which he remembered fondly from his childhood summer visits to New Hampshire. After the Franklin left Ella’s estate in the mid-50’s, Dick learned it had eight (8) owners before he acquired it as a cherished connection to his family’s past and present. Many friends and family members have enjoyed rides in the “Ellamobile”.

In addition to photography and his antique car, Dick was a hobbyist building model train layouts for the

family’s two homes, Livonia and on Rock Lake in Vestaburg, Michigan. He loved Rock Lake, where he could enjoy radio-controlled boats, cars or trucks, and send his drones flying around the property, all of which he built from kits and continually modified.

Dick’s love of travel spanned his entire life. Through his connection to the University of Michigan and many family adventures, he took pride in visiting all 50 states. He also traveled internationally during his service in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Hancock and later with the Band on a European tour in 1984.

The family will be planning a Memorial Service for the near future.

Donations may be made to the Elbel Club/Marching Band-303403 at: GIVE