Richard Joseph Kronick

In 2016, Rick wrote a letter to his family, sealed it in an envelope and requested it be opened upon his death. Rick’s letter is a message which is straightforward and to the point, just like Rick. Here is Rick’s message to his family and his friends.

I wish to thank my maker, my family, my parents, friends and teammates for the joys and events in my life. I have been given challenges and opportunities in my 85 years. Some met with success, others not so. But such is life. My last wish is to be put in a place where I can rest in peace and never forget what has been given to me. I do not wish to have any services, no funeral.

Blessed by my family, my wife and partner JoAnn, son Mike and daughters Bobbi, Kris and Marti. JoAnn thank you for being the wind beneath my wings and saving the best dance for me.

Forever Grateful, Rick

Richard “Rick” Joseph Kronick passed away on January 13th at his home. He was 85 years old.

Rick was born in St. Paul Minnesota. As a young boy growing up in the great state of 10,000 lakes, Rick loved to fish, play football and baseball. He attempted hockey, but just never had the ankles for it. While attending Harding High School, Rick played football and baseball. If you ask Rick’s friends, he maybe was just a bit of a fun rabble rouser on the field and off. Rick graduated from Harding High and went on to college. Rick attended St. John’s University and St. Cloud State University where he studied Criminal Justice. While at St. Cloud State, Rick met JoAnn, his wife on a blind date at a hockey game. While dating, they enjoyed going to movies on campus and dining at the local hamburger hop. They were married in 1957 and 63 years later still in each other arms at the time of Rick’s passing.

It was in Minnesota where Rick started his career with State Farm Insurance. In 1963, when State Farm was opening their Greeley office, Rick took a transfer opportunity and moved his family to Colorado. Rick worked for State Farm for 37 years and retired at the ripe age of 57. While working for State Farm, Rick had to wear a suit and a tie every day. Although Rick disliked wearing suits, Rick had a sheik fashion sense for the clip-on-tie. Rick was more comfortable in a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, black tennis shoes and white tube socks. Always white socks.

Rick enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, having a pizza game night with family or friends, and anything involving adding numbers in his head. Rick could add up numbers in his head faster than you could get them added up in a calculator. Through his writing pen, Rick was a great wordsmith of writing poems. Though his story telling, he drew you in. Although on occasion, you had to ask yourself was that story actually factual or…. not so much! Later in his retirement years, Rick added to his enjoyment by watching the Game Show Network, shopping at Costco and buying in bulk for a two-person household and taking his dog Bogie to the bank for a treat and over to Lowes to shop.

One thing Rick did religiously every night, Rick prayed for good health and for the safety of JoAnn and his children. Rick would tell you, his greatest legacy will be JoAnn, his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Rick was a good man whose influence will be forever felt by his family who loved him and who knows, they will see him again.

Rick is survived by his wife JoAnn B, his son Michael, his daughter Kristin and his daughter Margaret. His grandchildren, Brian (Sydney) Wiedeman, Karli (Andrew) Lamb, Amanda (Jared) Leland and Haley (Conner) Roggy. Great grandchildren, Lillyana, Maise, Alexa and Ava.

Rick is preceded in death by his father Joseph, his mother Joann J, his daughter Roberta “Bobbi” Wiedeman and his favorite dog Bogie.

Rick entered the gates of heaven knocking, where he was greeted by Bobbi. He said, telling her, boy….do I have some stories to tell you.

Per Rick’s request, private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Weld County Humane Society in care of the Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W 28th Street, Greeley, CO 80634.