April 9, 1949
Father of three
Retired Royal Oak Fire Dept. Captain
Detroit born, Royal Oak raised
Meet Rick Sage
Although Richard Philip Sage was born in Detroit, April 9, 1949, he grew up in Royal Oak after his father moved the family there not long after his birth. At that time, Royal Oak was full of fields, farms and pheasants, a stark contrast from the trendy city it is today with the main drag adorned with the neon lights of one bar and restaurant after another. Sage attended Catholic schools, played football and graduated from St. Mary’s in 1967. He declined a football scholarship from Central Michigan “for some reason” and attended Oakland Community College, making the dean’s list his first semester. Second semester, however, he dropped algebra “so algebra got me drafted,” Sage says. By dropping the course, he lost his 2-S student deferment status and although he was able to appeal, the appeal came up in the summer when taking algebra wasn’t an option. It was 1969.
The stories shared are ones from the heart, stories he’s finally ready to share. Although his whole story is more than what could ever be captured and put on a website; stories like witnessing men purposely shoot their fingers off so they’d get sent home and the rampant drug use. Or even how he “admired the bad guys” because of their resolve to fight and win, or the story where he saw a Vietcong soldier’s legs blown off by a booby trap. But, here are stories just as captivating and important as those that speak to his time and experience, fighting in a war at only 21-years-old.
These days...
It took a long time, but Sage is happy to share his side of the war with people. He took away many lessons, some of which you heard. He came back, actually re-enlisted and spent 1973-1975 in Thailand where he met his wife and they had their first daughter. Sadly, they eventually divorced, but after many years of good times and three daughters. He joined the Royal Oak Fire Department where he became a captain and retired at the age of 54. He is remarried to Maureen, his “soul-mate” and together they live life, have fun and enjoy their grandchildren. He lives by his motto, “life is good…and I ain’t done yet!”