Richard "Rick" Dilling November 3, 1962 - February 19, 2024 Rick Dilling has helped us out of a jam for the last time. If you lived in Vail anytime from the 1970's until now, you have undoubtedly been rescued at some point by Rick Dilling (Owner of the West Vail Shell and legendary tow truck driver).
Rick was born on November 3rd, 1962, to Iris and Dick Dilling, in Monticello, Indiana. Rick moved to Vail early on when his Dad opened the service station in West Vail. Growing up, Rick loved playing sports and excelled at Battle Mt. High School in both football and wrestling. More than anything, however, he loved hunting and fishing. He instilled that love in his boys and often shared his passion with those around him, once horrifying the local children at a party, when they ventured into his garage to see a grown ass bear hanging upside down waiting to be processed!
At the age of 32, Rick married Kim in Vail, Colorado. Together, they had two children Wyatt and Jacob. Rick taught his children and all his friends everything he knew about being an outdoorsman, an athlete, and a good man. Dressed in his work overalls or hunting garb, Rick stayed warm and radiated that warmth to those around him.
Rick bought his parent's house in Palisade in 2018, where Rick passed away on February 19th, 2024, at the age of 61, from a heart attack.
Rick was preceded in death by his father, Dick, and his sister, Cynthia. He is survived by Kim Dilling, and their two sons Wyatt Dilling and Jacob Dilling, his mother, Iris, and his two nieces, Tangi and Tacia.
Rick's pride and joy was helping others in need and hunting and fishing with his sons, friends, and his dog. Rick was hard-working, loyal, and had an incredible sense of humor. He often could help turn a negative experience into a humorous story, once remarking after a bear trashed the inside of his truck that it was the sort of mess that could only have been done, "by a bear or a teenager!" We can all honor his legacy by doing somebody a favor or helping them out of a jam.
There will be a service at Palisade Municipal Cemetery on Saturday, March 9th at 1pm, and a memorial at Donovan Pavilion on Thursday, March 28th at 5pm.
