Charles
Charles Rickman
d. February 25, 2015
Charles "Charlie" or "Rick" Edward Rickman, 73, a resident of Homewood at Frederick, died suddenly and of natural causes on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. He was the husband of Barbara "Bobby" Lee Campbell Rickman, whom he married on July 28, 1963 in Coffman Chapel at Hood College.
Born on September 9, 1941 in Silver Spring, he and his family moved to a farm on Coppermine Road in Union Bridge in 1946. They grew corn and wheat, and raised cattle for food. He was the son of the late Clyde Glen and Mildred Bowman Rickman.
As a child, Charlie was called "Mr. Fix it" because he loved taking anything apart and putting it back together- almost always successfully. While other kids were reading the Hardy Boys, he was studying the schematics of the most complex gadgets and motors. He loved the challenge of fixing anything that was broken.
He graduated from Frederick High School in 1959. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves, serving in the 559th Signal Company (Construction). He was on active duty at Fort Meade, MD, during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
He began his lifelong career in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning profession by working as an apprentice for Bob McLaren of Walkersville. He served as a journeyman for R.F. Kline Construction Co., before beginning a 21-year employment with John T. Croghan, Inc. of Hyattsville. He began his own business in 1983. He always said, "I sell service". He had so many wonderful, loyal customers that it guaranteed his success as a businessman. He was an accomplished master plumber, master electrician, with a boiler's license, a steam fitter's license, and an HVAC license. Throughout his entire adult life, he took numerous courses and seminars to keep up-to-date with all the changes in his field.
Gardening was one of Charlie's many pleasures in life. He shared his "world famous" tomatoes with all who wanted them. And his elephant ears which grew to five feet at least were the talk of the neighborhood. He took great pride and received honors for his beautifully maintained and manicured yard. At Christmas time his bright red lights covered the outside of his entire house. The neighbors (most of them) loved them. They were beautiful in the winter snow. One year he bought a brand new snow blower and had great fun clearing all his neighbors walkways and driveways.
Cooking provided him much joy. He worked for Harry Dougherty at the Country Kitchen stand at the Frederick Fair for 20 years. He offered his butchering skills for several local service organizations. He worked at numerous Pancake Breakfasts with his son for Boy Scout Troop 1998. He was a member of several service organizations including the Lewistown Social Club, BPOE #684, AMVETS Frederick Post #2, and Frederick Aerie #1067. As a young man, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Walkersville Fire Co.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter Tracey Walling (Pat) of Cumming, GA and by a son Michael Rickman (Maura) of Potomac, MD. He took great pride in the wonderful adults they had become. And he loved his two very special granddaughters Madeleine Fiona Rickman and Sidney Michelle Walling.
He is also survived by his brother John Alan Rickman (Norma) and one niece and three nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers Robert Glenn Rickman and Richard Lee Rickman.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no viewing or funeral. A scattering of his ashes will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Charlie, the family suggests that performing a random act of kindness for someone would please him a great deal.
Arrangements are being made by Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., Frederick.
Born on September 9, 1941 in Silver Spring, he and his family moved to a farm on Coppermine Road in Union Bridge in 1946. They grew corn and wheat, and raised cattle for food. He was the son of the late Clyde Glen and Mildred Bowman Rickman.
As a child, Charlie was called "Mr. Fix it" because he loved taking anything apart and putting it back together- almost always successfully. While other kids were reading the Hardy Boys, he was studying the schematics of the most complex gadgets and motors. He loved the challenge of fixing anything that was broken.
He graduated from Frederick High School in 1959. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves, serving in the 559th Signal Company (Construction). He was on active duty at Fort Meade, MD, during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
He began his lifelong career in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning profession by working as an apprentice for Bob McLaren of Walkersville. He served as a journeyman for R.F. Kline Construction Co., before beginning a 21-year employment with John T. Croghan, Inc. of Hyattsville. He began his own business in 1983. He always said, "I sell service". He had so many wonderful, loyal customers that it guaranteed his success as a businessman. He was an accomplished master plumber, master electrician, with a boiler's license, a steam fitter's license, and an HVAC license. Throughout his entire adult life, he took numerous courses and seminars to keep up-to-date with all the changes in his field.
Gardening was one of Charlie's many pleasures in life. He shared his "world famous" tomatoes with all who wanted them. And his elephant ears which grew to five feet at least were the talk of the neighborhood. He took great pride and received honors for his beautifully maintained and manicured yard. At Christmas time his bright red lights covered the outside of his entire house. The neighbors (most of them) loved them. They were beautiful in the winter snow. One year he bought a brand new snow blower and had great fun clearing all his neighbors walkways and driveways.
Cooking provided him much joy. He worked for Harry Dougherty at the Country Kitchen stand at the Frederick Fair for 20 years. He offered his butchering skills for several local service organizations. He worked at numerous Pancake Breakfasts with his son for Boy Scout Troop 1998. He was a member of several service organizations including the Lewistown Social Club, BPOE #684, AMVETS Frederick Post #2, and Frederick Aerie #1067. As a young man, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Walkersville Fire Co.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter Tracey Walling (Pat) of Cumming, GA and by a son Michael Rickman (Maura) of Potomac, MD. He took great pride in the wonderful adults they had become. And he loved his two very special granddaughters Madeleine Fiona Rickman and Sidney Michelle Walling.
He is also survived by his brother John Alan Rickman (Norma) and one niece and three nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers Robert Glenn Rickman and Richard Lee Rickman.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no viewing or funeral. A scattering of his ashes will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Charlie, the family suggests that performing a random act of kindness for someone would please him a great deal.
Arrangements are being made by Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., Frederick.
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