Ricky Dean Gehrig, born in Pueblo, Colorado on May 17th, 1957 has headed towards his next adventure in life on October 10th, 2021.
Rick is survived by his wife, Julia Gehrig, daughter Minnie Sue, sons Andrew and James (Angela), and stepsons Patrick, Andrew & Stephen, grandchildren Harry, McKayla, Sammie, Landon & Jackson, brothers Michael Schimpf & Ben Gehrig, sisters Debbie Buckless, Cindy Barnfield, Sherry Bagheri, Crystal Thompson and Constance Forsett.
And last but not least, he leaves behind his buddy, his 4 legged companion, Rudy and fur princesses Feffie and Scar.
He has now joined his beloved son, Nickolas Dean Gehrig, his mother, Sue Schimpf, stepmother Patricia Gehrig, his fathers, Andrew Gehrig & Jack Schimpf, and his many aunts, uncles & cousins.
Rick proudly served in the Armed Forces (To his mothers’ surprise too! The Army sent him home 4 times before he even got to boot camp!!) He was stationed overseas in Germany near the Black Forest & he loved it there because of its’ beauty! Rick was honorably discharged twice and was a brother of the 2/68 Armor Regiment SILVERLIONS.
Rick chose a career of a journeyman lineman. He was raised with a whole family of them in his youth, and it stuck with him for life!
Rick loved his Brothers at the IBEW, young and old, grunts & pushes! He would be proud as a peacock when the younger ones would call him and tell him they made journeyman!! You could often catch him talking of his fellow brothers with love & pride on his face & in his heart & genuine laughter deep from within him!
He was an awesome, extraordinary, & a very ornery man! He had a heart of gold & there was not a soul that he met that he didn’t touch! Rick was a gentle giant! He was kind of like a toasted marshmallow hard & crusty on the outside but all warm & gooey within! He loved to laugh & joke! He loved to tease & wrestle! His wonderful, mischievous bellowing laughter would light up the neighborhood! Rick’s presence lit up the room. Especially if his “presence” smelled oddly like “jasmine & lilac” or “pine & wisteria.”
In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Rick’s good-hearted nature, please take a random moment to open doors with the gift of your time. Trees may also be planted in his memory.
