George "Rick" Richard John Vierkandt

He moved to Houston Texas in 1985, the island of St Croix USVI from 1991 to 1994 and spent most of his teen years in Iowa Falls, Iowa. While attending Ellsworth College, he became an entrepreneur and launched a graphic design business Partners in Advertising. Upon moving to Henderson, Nevada in 2004, his entrepreneurial skills continued as he pursued his love of photography. He mentored under the prestigious wild life photographer, Tom Mangelsen & worked at numerous other galleries in Las Vegas before branching out on his own. Landscapes & wildlife were his niche at that time with his Hummingbird Portrait as his signature piece. As the Fine Art Photography business suffered economic turndowns, he found Pet Photography a welcome new venture. Bark Gallery was born & his love of animals brought joy through his photography as he captured pets in incredible fashion.

Rick was an entrepreneur & avid photographer with an exuberance unmatchable. He loved shooting pool & above all else, playing golf with his father Richard. He was proud of his work with Benny the Ice Skating Dog – the awareness it raised for autism & rescue. Rick was a huge asset to the Rescue Community in Las Vegas & nationwide & dedicated countless hours helping animals. His laughter & joy in life touched many many hearts.

His sarcoma cancer journey was long & tumultuous – he rarely shared how much pain & suffering he really endured. At-home hospice on Christmas day brought a few weeks of relief & the energetic buoyant man we loved was visible again. But the cancer that had invaded his lungs suddenly took that exuberance away & he fought to the bitter end for one last breath. God called him home to be cancer free.

A Church Service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 17th 2024 at 1:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church LCMS, 2657 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052. Celebration of Life will follow at 2:30 pm at The Revere Golf Club, 2600 Hampton Rd, Henderson, NV 89052.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nevada SPCA (Nevadaspca.org)