Rick Putz

Underneath a bright, October harvest moon, God called him home. His hand cradled by his devoted wife Barbara, Rick peacefully rose to meet his heavenly Father, and while the world has lost a gentle soul, angels are rejoicing.

In 1947, Rick’s parents, James Stephen, and Frances Cecelia, welcomed him into the world, and it was evident to them from the beginning that this child’s capacity for love and sweetness of spirit would become his greatest gifts. They were right. He was raised in Merrillville, Indiana, along with his brother William, and sister Gloria.

In 1965 Rick graduated from Merrillville High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in English from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. While most of his fellow students transitioned directly into a career, Rick’s curiosity led him in a different direction. He strapped on his backpack and set off in search of the meaning of life. He lived in the moment, not knowing where he would lay his head at night. His quest took him across the U.S., into Mexico, and as far away as the Amazon jungle (another story of its own). While all these adventures added up to priceless learning experiences, the meaning of life—his destiny—was still a mystery.

A few years later, all would be revealed. On a day in 1975 while searching the pages of a King James Bible, Rick offered up a prayer for salvation that would forever change his path. He meditated daily on God’s word and developed a true love for his Creator and in response, his desire to do more and serve more grew each day.

In 1979, Rick and Barbara met and married, making their home in Carlton, Minnesota. Rick’s medical career began at nearby Miller-Dwan Hospital in Duluth. Together they filled their home with children—lots of children—enriching their lives with laughter, love, and sometimes a little chaos. Amidst all this, he still found time once a week to visit and offer spiritual support to inmates at Carlton County Jail.

In 1989, the family packed up the van and moved to Indianapolis, and for the next 25 years Rick worked for Indiana University Hospital in the transplant department as a perfusionist on the Organ Transplant and Procurement Team. His faith, always the catalyst for his example of grace, earned the respect of those he worked for, and blessed those he cared for. His role was key in harvesting and delivering organs from one human body and delivering them safely into the hands of a skilled surgeon who would bring them to life again in another very fortunate person. He brought skill and reverence into the lives of strangers, both at the end of their lives and in their new beginnings.

When Rick wasn’t working, he was at home with his family. The kids loved it when he joined them for a game of catch, or when he packed up a cooler with sodas, smashed up salami sandwiches and herded them to the van for a spontaneous day away. Any time with their father was precious, and his children always knew they were his priority.

The years passed and as their nest emptied, Rick and Barbara transitioned to a new phase in their life together. They could often be found on the dance floor, riding bikes, or just laying on a blanket by a lake.

In 2013, Rick retired and for two years, he and Barbara travelled extensively. Each time, upon returning home they would plan their next adventure. During that time a 5 ½ week European tour included France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy. Their extended stay in Venice, Italy, inspired Rick to write a moving love story, Evening Painting, under the pen name Richard James.

In 2015 Rick picked up a part-time job in security, a “gig” he amusingly referred to as fulfilling his “fantasy of becoming Agent 007.” Simultaneously, he served as Associate Pastor for Living Word Christian Church in Indianapolis for three years.

For forty years, Rick spent his life in ministry to those around him, but that ministry was less often played out behind a podium than in deep service to others through the medical field. His vocations and ministries so intricately interwoven it was impossible to separate them.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, James Putz and Francis (Bradach)Putz, sister, Gloria (Putz) Warfield.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Kay (Harris) Putz; children, Bryan Patrick, Dishon David, Jonas Seth (Jackie), Noah Shalom, Leah Rachel, Gabriel John (Avory), Micah James (Heather), and Faith Nichole (Zach); grandchildren, Katelyn, Joshua, Jersie, Preston, Michael, Madison, Phoenix, Nathaniel, Rachel, Samual, Grayson, Westman, Greyson, and Matthew; brother William Putz (Debbie); nephews Jamal Warfield, and Jordan Putz, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The joys of Rick’s life were ballroom dancing with Barbara, fishing, traveling, and writing. Other written works include The Dream Ship, a collection of poems, published through The Plowman in Ontario, Canada, under the name Richard Putz.

As the children, now adults with children of their own, herd enthusiastic little passengers into their own vans for adventures yet unknown, they may hear a gentle, familiar voice…

”Head ‘em up. Move ‘em out. Rawhide!”