John R. Rickard

Dr. John R. Rickard of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed from this life on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at age 89. He died of pneumonia while at Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs, CO.

John was born August 29, 1927, in Vina, AL to Nello Rickard and Nellie Elizabeth Benson Rickard. He was raised in Vina, attending both primary and secondary schools there. As a teenager, he learned to repair automobiles and vacuum-tube radio receivers, becoming skilled at both practices. He also cultivated a deep love of classical music, stimulated initially by hearing Strauss’ Tales of the Vienna Woods on a general store jukebox in his home town. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday and served on active duty from December 12, 1945 to October 13, 1947. His specialty in the Navy was radar technician, and he served on mine sweepers during this period.

John married his high school sweetheart, Betty Irene Williams, in 1946. He and Betty enjoyed
67+ years of marriage before she passed away in 2013. John was a devoted husband, and during the final years of Betty’s life, when she became unable to care for herself, he was her full-time care-giver and constant companion. His example of what it means to be a faithful husband is a treasured and enduring part of his legacy.

In 1956, while working full time, John began taking evening college classes at Florida Institute of Technology, in Melbourne, FL. He persisted with his studies, eventually receiving a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1969, graduating on the same evening and with the same degree as his son. He also obtained certifications as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and as an Extra-class ham radio operator. Well after his retirement, he began studies for a Ph.D. degree, and was awarded his Doctorate in Engineering in 2007, at age 80.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, John went to work for the predecessor of the Federal Aeronautics Agency (FAA), maintaining airport radars in several locations in the southern U.S., including Miami, FL, Fort Worth, TX and Atlanta, GA, which required frequent moves of the family. In 1955, he took a job with RCA at the U.S. Air Force Eastern Test Range (ETR), headquartered at Patrick Air Force Base, FL. With this assignment, he moved his family to Melbourne, FL, where he lived until 1976.

After a few years with RCA, John joined the federal Civil Service, working for the Air Force in designing and overseeing the installation of the data transmission system for the entire Atlantic missile range. This job involved numerous trips “down range” to tropical destinations in the Caribbean and South Atlantic, where radars associated with the ETR were sited. He also worked as a consultant for the local hospital in maintaining their linear accelerator used in cancer treatment.

John and Betty transferred to Tullahoma, TN in 1976, where he became the project engineer overseeing the construction of the Aero Propulsion Systems Test Facility (ASTF), the world’s largest wind tunnel facility for the testing of jet engines, at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). He worked at this job until his retirement in 1982.

Upon retiring, John and Betty moved to Henderson, TN, where John began an active post- retirement career as an adjunct faculty member at Freed-Hardeman University, teaching mathematics, physics, chemistry, and ham radio classes. He also maintained the university’s FM radio station, occasionally serving as a DJ for classical music programs, and designed and installed the audio system for the university’s event center.

In 2004, John and Betty relocated to Colorado Springs, CO, to be near their children. John continued his consulting work there for multiple doctors, maintaining and calibrating some of their
office electronic equipment, while he pursued his Ph.D. studies. He also designed and installed the audio systems for two church buildings.

Among John’s favorite activities were Bible study, teaching Sunday school classes, leading singing and/or serving as an elder of churches of Christ in Hialeah, FL, Melbourne, FL, Tullahoma, TN, Henderson, TN and Monument, CO. He was an avid reader and a diligent monitor of U.S. and international news. He also relished attending the performances of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, for which he had season tickets.

John greatly enjoyed being close to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren during the final years of his life, and was always a hit with them for his magic tricks, his warm sense of humor and his profound knowledge and wisdom. Whenever told of one of their accomplishments, he would pat them on the back and say, “Why am I not surprised?” Despite the advancing infirmities of age, whenever asked how he was feeling, his standard reply was, “I’m doing so well that it scares me!” He lavishly praised the good cooks in his family, and was confident that a special section of heaven was reserved for them. He is the last of our family who was a member of the “greatest generation.” He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. While his family will miss him terribly, we are blessed by his legacy and thankful that he can now rest from his labors with the Lord.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Nello, Jr. and James S. Rickard, and his wife Betty Rickard. He is survived by his son Dr. John T. (Terry) Rickard of Larkspur, CO, his daughter Donna Gail Rickard Brook of Woodland Park, CO, his grandchildren Jonathan Kyle Hinkle of New York, NY, Jessica Lynn Rickard Mullins of Castle Rock, CO, Marissa Lois Rickard Mullins of Castle Rock, CO, Holly Adair Hinkle of Portland, OR, Heather Caitlin Hinkle of Littleton, CO, John Tyler Rickard of Castle Rock, CO, and Joey James Pregont of Castle Rock, CO. He is also survived by 10 great grandchildren, who he lovingly referred to (in ham radio vernacular) as his “third harmonics.”

Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Friday, February 17, at the Henderson Church of Christ, with Ben Flatt and Dr. Terry Rickard officiating, and burial will follow at the Henderson City Cemetery. Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel of Henderson, TN (731 989-2421) is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Tri-Lakes Church of Christ, Monument, CO, in memory of John Rickard. All monies contributed will be given to John’s faithful nurse and helper, Pamela Dunovski, whose loving daily care for John in his final years is greatly appreciated by the family. The address for contributions is:

Tri-Lakes Church of Christ, in memory of John Rickard
20450 Beacon Lite Rd.
Monument, CO 80132

The family thanks everyone for their prayers and expressions of love and sympathy during Dad’s hospitalization and hospice stay. They have been a great support to us. Rest in peace, Dad. We love you.

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow