Robert Woods Ricker

Born to Agnes and Bill Ricker in Paterson, New Jersey, he grew up in Newark, NJ. Bob moved to Washington, DC to attend The Catholic University of America. His education was interrupted by the Korean War, where he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He returned to CUA and, upon graduation, joined the Central Intelligence Agency where his service to his country continued for several decades. His career with the Agency saw him travel all over the world, including two tours in Vietnam. Bob remained in the military, serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves.

In 1968, while swimming at the pool of their Tunlaw Rd apartment complex, Bob met a young nurse, Julia Madden. The couple married in 1969 and settled in Vienna, VA where they raised their son Chris, daughter Alex, and a long line of cherished rescue dogs. Bob’s family was the most important part of his life. He was a loving husband and an active participant in his children’s lives.

Bob strongly believed in serving others at a local level, a belief that was formed and reinforced by his Catholic faith. Active in his parish and his community throughout his life, Bob was a lector at Mass in his parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and served a term as PTO president of the parish school. Bob also donated his time to organizations including So Others Might Eat and Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic. Bob helped found, and became president of, his parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization that provides person-to-person assistance to neighbors in need.

He had life-long passions for history and the arts including music, theater, architecture, painting, and sculpture. Bob, himself, was a talented artist and photographer. He was an avid runner and swimmer throughout his life. Bob had a quick wit and an easy laugh.

An enduring memory of Bob is his end-of-the-day routine which found him happily ensconced in his grandfather’s chair, listening to WBJC classical music with a glass of sherry in one hand, a good book in the other and his dog, Ranger, at his feet.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Julia, his son Chris (Kelly) of Hinsdale, IL, his daughter Alexandra (Neil) Sunley of Lake Ridge, VA; his grandsons William Ricker and Owen Ricker; his sister-in-law, Mary (Paul) Luck of Clayton, NY; his niece, Patty (Mark) Barbato and her sons of Evanston, IL; and his cousin and goddaughter, Vicki Bolton of Fort Myers, FL. He is preceded in death by his nephew, Major Nick Ferencz, USMC.

A funeral Mass will be held December 17 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the OLGC Society of St. Vincent de Paul: https://www.olgcva.org/outreach/svdp