Rick L Willbanks (b. 04 Dec 1953, d 07 Dec, 2018) was very proud of the cultural diversity in his life. His mother. Joyce Hoffman Willbanks' (b. 06 April 1937), family is German-Russian and came to the United States directly from Russia. The Deines side of the family first worked in the sugar beet fields and raised sheep at a location near where Markley Motors is now located at Horsetooth and College Avenues. Rick was quite close to his grandmother, Irma Deines Hoffman (b. 20 Aug 1912 d Oct 2011), who was born in Russia, and he loved to listen to her stories of the "old times." He just recently began appreciating the great contribution this culture has made to Northern Colorado and the sugar beet industry and wishes that their efforts and sacrifices would become more recognized by our community. He continued to spend time with his grandmother, taking her for drives in the mountains and to other functions, and believes that this special bond between them is due to their reciprocal and unconditional love for one another.
Rick’s grandfather, Sam Hoffman (b. 23 May 1909; d. 11 Sep 1958), was born in Fort Collins and is a first generation American. He was an automobile mechanic and worked for Walter Cooper. The family originally lived in what is now Andersonville until moving to 636 Endicot. Sam Hoffman also built two homes, one at 310 Circle Drive and the other 1613 Crestmore.
Rick's grandparents, William G. Willbanks (b. 1893; d. 1977) and Nellie Sales Willbanks (b. 1898; d. 1975) were married in Bayfield, Colorado, in 1914 but returned to Arkansas for a short time. When they returned to Colorado, they loaded up their Model T and said they looked like the epitome of "The Grapes of Wrath." When they returned to Colorado, they went to Merino County and worked in sugar beet fields. They later moved to Allen's Park and worked for Buzz Hoover, to Buckeye where they farmed for Clarence Monroe and then to Laporte where they worked in timber for Jay Davis. William G. then went to work at the Ideal Cement Plant where he retired. He also built a cinder block house on hill past Laporte. Rick's father William F. Willbanks (b. 15 May 1931 d 09 Dec, 2011), was employed by the Ideal Cement Plant, Ranch Way Feed, and Mountain Bell.
Some of Rick's fondest memories are of spending time running through the cornfields and floating on an inner tube in irrigation ditches on an uncle’s farm, which at that time was located "way out" on Overland Trail Road. Rick also had a love for the outdoors and would go camping, hunting, and fishing in Cherokee Park near Sheep Creek with his grandparents. He loved exploring the same areas where his family had cut timber.
Rick is an alumni of Putnam Elementary and Lincoln Junior High and is a 1972 graduate of Poudre High School. His love of the outdoors had resulted in his becoming a jack of all trades." Over the years, he had tried a variety of occupations from being a soda jerk to working in a gas station and even at Woodward Governor, but he had decided on maintenance work so can his sense of freedom and be able to be outdoors.
Rick and his first wife had a son, Nickolaus (b. 15 Jan 1974). He and his second wife Leilani Jean Trostel (b. 19 Jun 1958; d 02 Nov 1999) were married 10 Feb 1979 and had two children: Erika (b. 08 Mar 1980) and Lucaus (b. 25 Apr 1983). When Leilani lost her life to lymphatic disease on 02 Nov 1989 at the age of 31, Rick was left to raise his two children, Erika and Lucaus. He was a proud grandfather of 14 year-old Cameron, 17 year-old Isabelle and 11 year old Melania. Rick joined the Pioneer Association in time for its Centennial Celebration.
Rick is survived by his mother Joyce Willbanks of Fort Collins, sisters Melodie Eustrom and Sherrie Johnson, son Nickolaus (McKinzie) of Loveland, Lucaus (Katelyn Geary) of Fort Collins, daughter Erika (Michael) Biba of Broomfield, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and his girlfriend Kirsten Bellamy and her son Mikah.
Memorial Service will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Allnutt Funeral Service. Inurnment will follow at Loveland Burial Park.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Rick’s honor to National Parks Conservation Association www.npac.org or NPAC 777 6th Street NW Suite 700 Washington DC 20001
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