Obituary of Richard Vernon Rickenbach

Richard "Rick" Vernon Rickenbach, 87, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, December 29, 2011. He was born January 8, 1924 in Punta Gorda, Florida. Rick was the son of Anna Maria and August Rickenbach. He will best be remembered by his family as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed. At the University Of Florida, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the UF marching band, and graduated with a Masters degree in history. Following college, he served in the army. Upon moving to Ocala, he worked for the Ocala Star Banner. He married Bettie Long, his best friend and partner of 59 years, at The First Presbyterian Church where he became an elder of the church. Rick and Bettie were business owners in Ocala for 50 years starting with the purchase of Cole Office Equipment. In 1968 Rick was asked to open Rheinauers Gift Shop when Rheinauers relocated from downtown to the Ocala Shopping Center where he collected beautiful gifts for special occasions. Throughout his life, his dedication to community was immense. He was involved in many Ocala and Gainesville organizations. Among those, FAFO, Friends of the Library, HOPS, Friends of Music, Ocala Community Concerts, The Appleton Museum of Art and The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. He had a strong love of family and a terrific dry sense of humor. He enjoyed the arts, music, traveling, antiquing, entertaining friends, playing the piano and listening to Bettie play the piano. Rick was a kind gentleman and his life made a difference to so many people. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Charlotte Stebbings, Marie Taylor, and Stella Martin, and his two brothers Adolph and August Rickenbach. Survivors include his wife Bettie Long Rickenbach; his daughter Marie R. Tuck of Ocala; his son August Walter Rickenbach, II of Saint Augustine, FL; grandsons William H. Tuck, III of Ocala and Richard Connor Tuck of Ocala, a niece Margaret Kratt and two nephews James Martin and Charles R. Mahoney. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rick's memory may be made to The Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470. Services are being held privately.