On Monday July 7, 2014 Rock Thomas Rickman was called to his Heavenly Dwelling to be with the Lord at 68 yrs old. He fought a heroic battle with his health for many years and succumbed to complications of ALS.
Rock was born to Clayton and Helen Rickman in Helena on October 27, 1945. Rock was the second son of four sons. He lived in Helena his entire life. Rock graduated from Helena High in 1963. After graduation he joined the Army National Guard and later followed in his father’s footsteps with a career at the Helena Independent Record. He started as a printer and with course work at Carroll College was eventually advanced to a position in sales management.
In the 1980’s Rock’s Western Bar was established and became a social spot in Helena. Many memories were created and through the years it became like a family. Rock was known to his patrons, friends and family to have a generous heart and caring spirit. We could always count on Rock for a laugh. He interjected humor to make his hard luck stories come to life. Rock was fun and loved baseball, football, motor cycling, and family gatherings. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and their many sporting events and activities. His favorite getaways were exploring old cabins and buildings with his metal detector, panning for gold and digging for sapphires. He was always going to “hit it rich!”
Rock attended mass at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. One of his fondest memories as a child was snuggling into his Mom’s fur coat during the service. Recently he had drawn closer to God and experienced solace through attending mass each day with his son Ryan.
His parents, Clayton and Helen Rickman, and his brothers, Richard Rickman and Jerry Rickman preceded Rock in death. His life is celebrated and survived by his two children, Michelle Keim (Steve) and Ryan Rickman (Tandi) and brother Jeff Rickman, six grandchildren, Brandon Keim, Andrew Keim, Jacob Keim, Lauren Keim, Malachi Rickman and Isaiah Rickman, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and close friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 with a Committal Service immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery, 3700 N. Montana Ave. A reception will immediately follow the Committal Service at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Rock.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
1:15 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Reception
1:45 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
1:15 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Reception
1:45 p.m.
Wednesday July 16, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
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Susan RIchard and Jennifer Tarner says
We were blessed to have Rocky as our neighbor. We will miss him driving his lawn tractor around his yard to insure his putting green surface, him borrowing a cup of sugar while handing us a five dollar bill but dashing off before we could say no and us bringing him the new summer crop of corn and beans and seeing his eyes light up. We will treasure his memory and just hope that he knew how much we loved him!
To the family, we join you in your grief but hope that your loss is somehow lessened by knowing just how much Rocky meant to so many.
All our love – Susan, Richard, Jennifer, Kia and Remy Tarner
George Lane says
I always smile when I think of Rock. The years working with him at the IR were great fun, especially watching him pulling pranks on everyone, me included. He was one of the good guys.
Judy and Fred Bakke says
God bless you Rocky, we will miss you, say hi to Rich for us and your folks.
Jane LaMoure says
RIP Rocky. Thank you for being such a fun cousin. Please say hi to all our family up in Heaven. *hugs*Michelle and Ryan. Love, Jane
James Bruer says
I’m gonna miss rock we were in high school together years ago had some good times I’ll miss his laugh
Susie Farr says
Rock hired me back in August of 1978. That was the strangest interview ever …. he said I interviewed him! Rock was always special to me and I will never forget the years working with him side-by-side at the IR. He always made our days fun and interesting. I am sorry to say we will be out of town and will not be able to attend His service, my heart will be with everyone. May God bless you and keep you, Rock.
Linda Grady says
My family is related through Rock’s by our grandmothers, and although I don’t remember Rock very well, I remember going to the family home and visiting with Helen and Clayton. I remember Helen as a beautiful, warm, wonderful woman who dressed very well.
It is with sadness that we loose our family but Rock is with his brothers, parents, grandparents, and in a world free of pain.
Take Care
Linda Grady (Ed and Eileen Grady’s daughter)
Nikole Rosa says
Rocky was my uncle and I loved him so much. His quirky sense of humor and quick wit is what I will remember most about Rocky. Through the devilish grins, you knew Rocky loved you. The best memory I have of Rocky was of our family going up to spirit lake for a reunion. Well on one of these reunion, Rocky decided it was better for him to stand up on the boat when it started moving. When it did, Rocky fell back and basically tore his arm to pieces. One ER visit later, Rock came out with stitches but non the less we had a wonderful time up there. You will be missed Rocky and I know your just looking down at us all and grinning!! I love you Rock!!
Van's Thriftway and Staff says
We will miss seeing Rock everyday here at the store.
Patty Schwen-Jones says
Rock hired me, Patty, in Feb. of 1979. It was my first ‘Real Job” after graduating from Carroll in 1978, and working part-time in Great Falls. I was a classified rep, with Susie Farr, Bev Allison & Joan Linkenbach, and then was a retail rep. Rock, my husband OD Jones (who joined the IR staff in May 1979,) Russ Hoosline, Gary Johnson, Larry Komolofsi, Pam Bailey, Joyce Parent, and others, enjoyed fabulous camaraderie and great sales $$$. We especially enjoyed going to “Next to Haps” or other breakfast locations after the morning meetings.( Rock & Ron Deyle were awesome managers, and Chuck Walk was our favorite Publisher!) Great memories with Gene Fisher, George Lane, and our beloved Shirley Gorsich!!! See you in Glory Land, Rock Rickman…Patty & OD Jones