Bob was an integral part of the (very close) Nova High School Class of 1969. For reasons that most cannot understand we were and remain exceptionally close for a class of 411. Bob's intellect and unbridled humor were special! Love, peace, anon to his family... Ned Skiff, Class Chairman

The Acquaintance was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Tiffany,

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Special Olympics South Carolina, Inc. purchased the Schefflera Arbicola for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Tig and Norma purchased the Garden Accent Stone - 'Wherever a beautiful soul...' for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Peace Lily was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Fireside Basket - Seasonal Garden was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Bob has always been a great friend to me. I have known him, Pam, Tiffany for 20 years. He was always a smiling face and a caring person. He was such a great man and a terrible loss. He will be missed.

Patrick and Tracy Sullivan purchased the Fireside Basket - Seasonal Garden for the family of Robert W Rickard.

We were all saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. Our deepest condolences to the Rickard family and to the many members of LETR and Special Olympics Ohio. RIP

International Law Enforcement Torch Run Council

Flanagan's Staff purchased the Fireside Basket - Red & White for the family of Robert W Rickard.

It was a privilege to have known Bob and to get to work with him at Special Olympics for many years.  My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.  He will be sadly missed by many. 

Kim Husk
SOOH Area 11 Co-director

Dear family and friends of Bob;

An absolutely redundant statement... Once you became Bob's friend, you became family. 

I am so proud, happy and fulfilled to have known and worked with Bob over the years. His dedication, enthusiasm and excitement always drew you in and you were always a better person for it.

In all of our conversation, sadly fewer in the last couple of years, we always talked family, future and how great it was to be where we were. A toast to one of the great guys.

Kevin and Kathy O'Brien
SOILL

Pam, Tiffany, and Patrick - 

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. It's wonderful to hear and read the many fond memories others have with him because he was such a great person! Take solace in knowing how many lives he impacted and how many people loved and cared for him. Love to you all.

Pam, Tiffany, Patrick - 

I can't begin to tell you how sad I was to learn of Bob's passing.  The last time we talked, we discussed plans to get a round of golf scheduled.  

I remember meeting Bob when I was a freshman at Capital, pledging STO and Bob being a great alum of our fraternity.  He became a dear friend, we shared many great times, too many rounds of golf to remember and a million laughs.  And for that, I will be forever grateful.  

As Jimmy Buffett, whose music Bob loved, wrote, "Life is a journey that is measured not in miles or years but in experiences, and the route your life takes is built not of roads but of songs."  Bob loved life, he loved his family and he loved his friends.  All of which will miss him terribly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family to not dwell on your sadness, but to relish your wonderful memories.

Tom & Pam Bork

I am sorry for the loss of your dear Robert. May you find comfort in the precious memories you shared together as well as God's promise to reunite us with our dear loved ones who have fallen asleep in death. (Isaiah 25:8) Until that time, may you continue to draw strength from God, family and friends. All the best wishes for your family at this time, take care of each other.

Blooming Basket was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Pam and Family,  I am so very sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Alice Cromwell

Special Olympics Indiana Staff purchased the Tree of Life for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Dear Pam and family,
So very sorry to learn of your loss.  May many happy memories bring you comfort.

So blessed to have been Bob's next door neighbor and connected to Special Olympics for over 20 years. I am saddened for the family as is my Special Olympics Whitehall family. Prayers of peace and future joy for you.

Tree of Life was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Bob was so dedicated to his family and Special Olympics. He will be missed. Anybody that can get Pam to do the polar plunge was grade A in my book. My condolences to the family.

Nature's Twig Arrangement was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Dish Gardens was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Fireside Basket - Red & White was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Special Olympics Wisconsin purchased the Peace Lily for the family of Robert W Rickard.

To the Rickard family, 

I’m so sorry that I’m unable to attend Bob’s memorial and celebration of life. 
This is a very sad loss for many people, especially your family who, I am sure, will miss him terribly for a long time to come. 

Bob was a fine man and a true inspiration to others in the Special Olympics community. 
While his stature was slight and his personality unassuming, Bob was learnt in so many ways. As a visitor to many USA business meetings, Bob was always welcoming and inclusive to me and others; mostly due to our love for golf.  I will miss Bob a lot. He’d become a good friend and person I truly enjoyed being around. 

In the annals of Special Olympics, Bob’s an icon! His conviction towards our athletes and the values of the movement were never in doubt. There’s a word for people like Bob….genuine, may we all try harder to emulate and practice to live this way. 

Take heart in the tributes and nice words you’ve heard over the past week for they are the only way we can show you that we too will miss Bob and that his contribution to Special Olympics was meaningful and heartfelt.    

Bob’s passing will leave a void with many people but his legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and respected him. 

Yours respectfully,

Glenn MacDonell
President, Special Olympics Ontario

Thinking of Bob and his family during this difficult time. Bob's many years of service to Special Olympics Ohio will live on. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Gary and Flory Schoenberger

Fireside Basket - Exotic was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Special Olympics North Carolina and Keith Fishburne purchased the Fireside Basket - Red & White for the family of Robert W Rickard.

We will truly miss Bob and for all that he has done for Special Olympics and for being such a wonderful and kind person.  May Bob rest and peace and may we celebrate his life the way he would want us to.  With all our prayers, love and sympathy from Alaska.

I am very saddened by the passing of Bob......... My family lived next door for 10 years as our kids grew through elementary, middle and some high school.  Bob was a fun neighbor and we shared with him our love for the Cleveland Browns........ One of my favorite memories is when we actually saw Bob cutting the grass at his home.  This was a sight that required a double look as Pam was always behind the mower.  I called our neighbor across the street so that she could share in this rare sight.  We both came out of our homes and applauded as Bob continued to cut the grass.  He tried to wave back but was only able to wave one finger as he was busy at his chores. God Bless Pam, Tiffany, Patrick and the rest of Bob's family and friends as they grieve their loss............

Becky Cooper-Thomas

One of the greatest assets of the Special Olympics movement are the friendships formed - friendships that mean a lot and last forever. Love you Bob Rickard.  You will be missed.  GO BUCKEYES  

Randy Mascorella and Special Olympics New Mexico

Pam and family:
We are so sorry to learn about Bob's death (he'll always be Ricky to us). He was one of the nicest guys on campus back in our Capital days. Thoughts and prayers to all.

Trish and Rick Bean

Don and Debby Campbell purchased the Fireside Basket - White Rose and Calla for the family of Robert W Rickard.

I knew and worked with Bob for many years as an Area Coordinator, local coach and eventually as a Chapter Director.....

Bob wore "Special O" on both "sleeves..."  His passion and commitment to provide the very best to the athletes was a hallmark....Whatever it took, he made it happen!  His enthusiasm was highly contagious!

His interactions with staff, volunteers, board were those of a consumate ,caring professional. dedicated to the mission.  He blazed the path for Special O in Ohio and was highly respected among his peers on a national level.  He will be sorely missed.

Thoughts and prayers to family, and relatives.

R.I.P. my friend as you start your next journey.... 

Pete Emmons

Rich Fellingham and the athletes of SO Iowa purchased the Tree of Life for the family of Robert W Rickard.

Dear Pam and Family -

I was shocked to hear of Bob's passing.  I was most fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Bob for over 30 years.  He was always so cordial and helpful whenever I approached him looking for his thoughts and guidance.  In addition, I got to spend more personal time with him at the outings at Rend Lake.  So many fond memories.  Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Chris Hahn

Fireside Basket - White Rose and Calla was purchased for the family of Robert W Rickard.

RIP Bob, you were a mentor and a friend and most importantly, a leader in the Special Olympics movement.  I learned so much from you and please know that your legacy will continue well into the future!

Denny Dejesus
Special Olympics Rhode Island

Dear Pam and family,
I first met Bob one month after I started working for Special Olympics Michigan in 1980. We were both Sports Coordinators for our programs in the Great Lakes Region. Bob was so much fun and helpful to me not only in those early years but, though out my career. I golfed in the S.O.D.A. many years and always appreciated that he could pair me with someone who did not care how I golfed. He just wanted me to play. That meant a lot to me. I picture him now golfing with Mike and Doug, and hear his laugh.
I am so sad and sorry for your loss. He will always be remembered. -- Lois

Dear Pam and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bob.  He really has a great deal to be proud of in his life.  May your fond memories of him bring you comfort in the time ahead.

Pam, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Bob was one of my favorite customers at Signatures.  I always loved seeing the two of you on Saturday afternoons.  I know you will find comfort sharing memories and pictures with the grandkids.  God Bless.

So incredibly saddened to hear of Bob's passing. I was honored to have worked with him for more than 20 of his 37 years as leader of Ohio Special Olympics. We sat at more than a dozen lunches planning the Jimmy Crum Labor of Love Golf tournament, and in recent years after SOOH board meetings. We talked about life our passion for Ohio State and more recently our transition into retirement. Bob was such a loved and steady leader of the organization he gave his heart to. He never failed to call me with a friendly reminder of the approaching board meeting or some other Special Olympics event. He had an easy laugh, he was unassuming, yet when he spoke, all would listen. I have no doubt he has been welcomed into eternity with the words "Well done good and faithful servant!"  But he will be missed tremendously here. Thoughts and Prayers To his wife Pam, daughter Tiffany, son Patrick and the rest of his family. Bob left a wonderful legacy of tens of thousands of lives touched, and he will be remembered always.  Cabot Rea

OBITUARY

Robert W Rickard

July 26, 1951 – January 22, 2017

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