Benefit Set for Family of Longtime BASF Employee

Richard “Dick” Salliotte was a fixture around BASF for 53 years.

The Wyandotte man retired a few months back to deal with his health after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

After months of conventional treatment with little success, he opted to try alternative chemotherapy treatments, which seemed to be working.

But then, the bills started to climb. So his friends and family set out to raise some money though a benefit dinner and silent auction.

However, Salliotte died before the event took place. He was 72 when he died on March 31.

Still determined to raise some cash to help the family pay the medical bills and funeral costs, his friends are going through with their fundraiser.

A pasta dinner will be held from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at , 1430 Oak.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

In addition to the meal, there will be hourly 50/50 drawings, door prize giveaways and auction items.

Mark Banton, who worked with Salliotte and called him a friend and a colleague, is helping to organize the benefit.

“He enjoyed every minute he spent at the plant," Banton said "Everyone who worked with him enjoyed having him around."

Rick Malechuk retired from BASF in November and said he remembers Salliotte as a well liked, funny man who loved pulling pranks. He also had a good throwing arm that helped him both on the company's softball team and in bowling centers.

"He was a great guy and fun to be around," Malechuk said. "He'll be missed."