Richard Huber Obituary

Richard L. Huber Jr.

Richard L. Huber Jr., 66, a retired executive of General Motors Corp., died Saturday, April 3, 2006, after a long battle with cancer.

Dick retired from General Motors in May 1998, following a 36 year career in the corporation's human resource/labor relations activities. He joined General Motors in 1962, with the former Euclid Division in Hudson, Ohio. In 1966 he was appointed to the Corporate Personnel Staff at General Motors World Headquarters in Detroit, where he spent 10 years leading work in human resource development, compensation and benefits for the corporation's salaried workforce.

In 1976 Dick was appointed assistant divisional personnel director at the Cadillac Motor Car Division. In 1980 he became director of personnel and public relations of the General Motors Packard Electric Division in Warren, Ohio. Four years later, in 1984, he was named Group Director of Personnel for the Chevrolet, Pontiac, General Motors of Canada Group. He became executive director of Human Resources Management for General Motors North American Operations in 1992. When he retired, Dick led the personnel function at the Corporation's Worldwide Powertrain Group.

Dick's career was marked by notable contributions in leading the development of processes for the selection and the development of people throughout General Motors global operations. On a personal level, his leadership style placed strong emphasis on the development and career growth of the people who worked with and for him. Many benefited from his mentoring and interest in their careers.

Dick was born on Sept. 18, 1939, in Harrisburg, Pa. His academic achievements prepared him well for a life of accomplishment. Dick graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University in 1962 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a recipient of both the Alfred P. Sloan and Austin Colgate scholarships.

In 1971 he graduated from Michigan State University with an MBA and became a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Academic Honor Society. In 1988 Dick attended the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Dick is survived by his wife, Lesley; his daughters, Lisa (Don) Ongart, Jennifer (Jamie) Shoemaker, Molly (Greg) Farrar and Ashley Huber; his grandchildren, Samantha Shoemaker, Alec Shoemaker, Noah Ongart and Lily Farrar; his mother, Nancy Huber; and his sister, Marcie (Jack) Harrington.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 9, 2006, 3 p.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church, 5278 N. Hope Rd., Hope. The Rev. Patrick Ryan Poag will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hope United Methodist Church in memory of Mr. Huber.

www.mccabefuneralhome.com.