Richard Wesley Bigelow, 93, of Rye, CO, passed away March 18, 2013. He was born on August 2, 1919, in Vineland, CO. The family moved to Rye, CO, in 1929, and joined the Rye Home United Methodist Church. Richard attended school in Rye from 1929 until 1936. He began working at the Colorado State Hospital as a cook’s assistant from 1937-1939. Richard married Mary Elizabeth Wilcox on October 16, 1939. He worked as a milkman for Rye Creamery Coop from 1939-1942. Then, he worked as an airplane mechanic at Hill Field in Ogden, Utah, from 1942-1944. He served in the Army Air Force in Guam from 1944-1946. Richard and Mary had a daughter, Sandra, who was born on August 30, 1945. Richard began working for the Rye Fish Hatchery in 1946, and purchased his home at 6009 Boulder Avenue in Rye the same year. He also worked as a carpenter with the Medill Brothers from 1946-1950. Richard and Mary’s son, Dick, was born on December 4, 1949. Finally, Richard worked at the Pueblo Army Depot from 1950 – 1974, as a carpenter, automotive mechanic, Chief of Special Weapons and as Chief of Depot Operations. He was always a connoisseur and collector of “Junque.” Richard was preceded in death by his spouse, Mary Wilcox-Bigelow; parents, Herbert H. Bigelow and Julia Jones-Bigelow; brothers, Herbert Bigelow and Alvin Bigelow; and son-in-law, Ron Steele. He is survived by children, Sandra Bigelow-Steele and Dick Bigelow; daughter-in-law, Elva Davila-Bigelow; grandchildren, Renee Steele, Michael Bigelow and Gregory Bigelow; 6 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Julie Bigelow-Seveland and Virginia Bigelow-Beach; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; and many dear friends, including Pearl Walker and Gene Bates. His final resting place will be at Brookside Cemetery in Rye, Colorado, in the shadows of his beloved Wet Mountains. He is at peace with the Lord. Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 30, 2013, at the Rye Home United Methodist Church 2063 Main Street in Rye, Colorado. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Rye Home United Methodist Church P.O. Box 70 Rye, Colorado 81069. Online condolences at www.tgmccarthy.com.
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