Obituary for Ricky Dale Innis

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Theresa, Words can't express how sad we are at Rick's passing. Even though we didn't see you guys often, we always enjoyed Rick's sense of humor concerning the hawks and huskers. We go back a long way - to the neighborhood gang (Floyd/Gary/Ronnie Innis, Jim Monroe, Pat Pickens, et. al.) hanging out and sometimes getting into trouble. I know he was devoted to you, Stacy, Aaron, and the grand kids. He will be missed. Take Care!

Dear Teresa and family, So much is in my heart for you. sending you prayers and love. Have thought of you often lately. Loving friends will not be forgotten. Sincerely, Joyce Bender (foirmerly Edmondson)

I have some great memories of Rick especially when it comes to U of I Hawkeye sports and work. Road trips to the Peach Bowl, at Minnesota and especially the post homecoming game chili supper at the Innis'. I will never forget the day I drove to a park near Amana, Iowa to try and find Rick who was with 5000 other people at the campground during a RAGBI tour and that was before cell phones were invented. Rick was passionate fan and coworker and he was the best HR manager I ever knew and of course a great friend. Rest in Peace and Nancy and I will miss you. Our sympathy to Theresa, Arron and Stacey and all of the Innis family. Ken and Nancy Shaner

Teresa, Stacey and Aaron, I was very saddened to hear this news. Rick was a person I admired and looked up to as I grew up. He was always so quick with a smile and I particularly remembered how he always talked to me with so much respect and attention. He really listened in a very serious way and that is probably why he was so good at his job. Of course thinking about the past brings a smile to my face and reminds of my own Dad whom I still miss very much. The whole gang, some of whom are sharing memories here, were part of an amazing cohort of friends who created an amazing work/life/play balance in the old days of Sheller-Globe. Through it all, Rick was center stage and bigger than life to my eyes. Rick and my Dad have been taken from us too soon but they will always be a part of our lives.

Dear Innis family, my deepest sympathy goes out to you. I was fortunate to see him for many years at my salon, he was an amazing man and I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you...love Lisa Fitzsimmons

We knew Rick through the Grinnell Area Garden Club. We appreciated so much his enthusiasm about gardening as well as his knowledge about gardening. He participated fully, actively, and creatively in Garden Club meetings and activities. We appreciated his cheerful enthusiasm and willingness to work on some of the projects. He will be greatly missed by us and the Garden Club as a whole. We sympathize with you in this tremendous loss.

Aaron and Family: We are sorry for your loss of your father and husband. He will be missed greatly. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

We were so saddened to hear of Rick's passing. He was such a great person and always had a smile on his face. We really appreciated that you and Rick visited Mom and Dad in Grinnell and brought them things from your garden and helped them with things that needed to get done. I can't even imagine the pain that you all must be going through. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and pray that God will help to ease your pain. It is going to be a very sad Adams family reunion this year since we have lost so many loved ones in the past year. Let us know if we can help in any way since we are now back in Marshalltown. Love you! Cousin Neenie

Teresa, Stacey, Aaron and family - How do you summarize a lifetime of friendship and memories in a few short lines? We have shared so much of our lives together - joys and sorrows, happiness and heartaches, family and friends, vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, tailgating, so many meals, beers and glasses of wine. We all saw each other at our best and at our worst. The best was REALLY, REALLY GREAT! The two of you were one of our first "couple" friends. We are so very sorry for your loss. We can't begin to know what you are going through, but please know we care and we are here for you. There is a huge hole in our hearts! We will truly miss him! He was one of the best friends anyone could ever have! We hold dear all our memories of Ricky Dale. In sympathy and friendship-Don and Jill

The news of Rick's death was a shocking and terribly sad reminder that it is so hard to fully appreciate those special people who cross our paths-because life is so fragile and unpredictable that we never get enough time to share life's experiences...we just assume we will always continue to get to be together, but really do need to be in the moment with each other at all times. So sorry for the great loss for Teresa and family, and all of Rick's many friends. David & Betsy Dettmann

Words are never enough to express our sorrow for your loss. We will miss seeing what new item he had created for the yard. Always had such an infectious smile and always so comfortable to be around. Newburg will never be the same, he will truly be missed!! Teresa please know we here for you!

How grateful we have been over the past 25 years to have Rick and Teresa as a very significant part of our son's life! He has always told us how they welcomed him into Stacey's family with open arms and have continued their loving support throughout the years. Since we have lived many miles away from the kids and grandkids, it has been such a blessing to know that these super people are there. Rick was a man who lived life fully and shared joy with everyone he met. I always enjoyed being with him. His warmth, welcome and hospitality were so exceptional. He and Teresa are a beautiful example of what family love is all about. Our admiration for them both is great. We will be keeping Teresa and the whole family close in our hearts and prayers in the coming days. Thank you for sharing love with yours and our son and grandchildren, Rick! Hugs and love to you, Teresa...Bill and Sue

I knew Rick for a couple years when I used to live in Iowa City back in 1982-1984 . He was always kind to me. after all those years, I was just browsing the net and I saw his name that he passed away in 2013. It touched me so deeply. he has this great sense of humor and a wonderful and captivating smile. Rick never mind to help others. It is so important that we all learn that human kindness and love for other always remains in people's heart. and Rick was just that. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Rick's family. I keep you all his family in my thoughts and payer. Dear Rick, my kisses and love will bestowed upon you Thank you!

Teresa, i am so sorry for your loss. It was always a joy visiting with you both at the Hosta meetings and different gardens. Please know that my prayers are with you and the family. Randy Craft

Teresa: So sorry to hear about Rick. He was such a wonderful person I always enjoyed talking with him at family reunion, softball games etc. I will never forget the time of my accident (1981) and Mom was having car problems when I was in the hospital. Rick was just a phone call away and he came right over and helped her in the parking ramp. He was there for her. That shows what a caring person it was. You and your family are in my prayers.

Dear Teresa and Family, I'm so sorry for you loss. Rick was a fun and friendly guy who was not afraid to say what he thought. We have some amazing memories of road trips and hawkeye games, and of course the Vine for wings! We will always treasure these. He will sorely be missed by many. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. We love you all, Ginny Seaton

Teresa and Family, I was so sorry to hear about Rick. What great memories I have of having Rick as a great friend. The great times we all had together are often on my mind:: Football from Jr. high through high school, track, double dating and I know you remember a few more. I know you and Rick had a lot years together with great memories just like Sue and I have had and that is what we cherish. Our love and prayers are with you. Bill and Sue

We are sadden to hear of the passing of our dear friend Ricky. We became friends through work about 30 years ago. During that course in time we worked on many programs and projects together. The one project that sticks out the most was a program about "discrimination" and how to recognize it and correct it. Our deepest sympathies to the Innis family on the passing of a great guy. Stan & Jane Zukin

Teresa and family, So sorry to hear of Rick's death. I'm so glad we were able to visit you at your home in Newburg during our last trip to Grinnell. I don't remember one particular event, just have a smile on my face every time I think of all the things the four of us did together. I met Rick 50 years ago and will always remember him fondly. You're in my thoughts and prayers! Tere

It was Saturday, April 13, a bitter cold day for April. Marlys Anderson and I were sitting in the living room of Ricky and Teresa's Newburg home discussing the details of their garden being featured on the Russ O'Harra Hosta Society Summer Tour. Teresa was baking brownines for the Club's spring meeting in Newton. We enjoyed a good conversation about Ricky being retired and how much he loved it; the books he and Teresa would read; the trips they had taken; how their garden had changed over the past few years. He showed me a small fence he built out of willow limbs in order to shade a favorite hosta. Sunday at our hosta club meeting I asked him to tell me more about his former life as an employee but he choose to focus on his current life of retirement and how much fun he and Teresa were having. Both days he had a smile which stretched from ear to ear. It was clear he truly did enjoy life and his family. Two weeks later we mourn the loss of this gentle, passionate, family man. A great comfort he suffered little, went in peace and touched the lives of us all in some way. May his spirit live on in those of us who knew him. Eve Vanden Broek Teresa - I love this poem by John O'Donohue who wrote it for his mother following the death of his father. Sadly, he too (John), died too soon. Beannacht – John O’Donohue (Blessing) On the day when The weight deadens On your shoulders And you stumble, May the clay dance To balance you. And when your eyes Freeze behind The grey window And the ghost of loss Gets into you, May a flock of colours, Indigo, red, green And azure blue, Come to awaken in you A meadow of delight. When the canvas frays In the currach of thought And a stain of ocean Blackens beneath you, May there come across the waters A path of yellow moonlight To bring you safely home. May the nourishment of the earth be yours, May the clarity of light be yours, May the fluency of the ocean be yours, May the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow Wind work these words Of love around you, An invisible cloak To mind your life.

Teresa, I'm so sorry to hear of Ricky's sudden death. God bless all of you.

Teresa and Family, My fondest memories with Rick are our MCC days, Rick would pick me up in his MG-B. Every morning he had that mischievous look on his face, wearing his driving gloves he'd mesh his fingers together say ya' ready and away we'd go, he smiled all the way to M'town. He always took the Newburg Road because he loved to see how fast he could take the curves. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave the Grandkids the same ride :). I am Truly sorry for your loss, Rick was a very special friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

I can't believe someone as full of life as Rick can be gone. He hired me at Shellar-Globe many years ago when no one else would give me a chance, since I was recovering from a broken neck. He was a good friend for many years. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Susie

Teresa, I am so sorry to hear about Rick. He was a great guy who always had a smile on his face. I would see Rick at Iowa wrestling matches and Rick would get me caught up on all the happenings in the Innis / Adams families. Rick, Floyd and Ronnie Innis, Denny and Steve Adams, Pat Pickens, Pam and Janeen Thompson, we all grew up together in a two block radius in Grinnell. Now that was a crew. Jim

Rick was my best friend and we did so many things together. From following my daughters' activities and sports to sitting in our cherished season ticket seats at Kinnick Stadium, from traveling to Cozumel and Fairfield Bay to just hanging out in Nichols or Newburg, Rick and I spent a lot of time together. Hardly a day went by during any sports season when I wasn't on the phone sharing updates about our beloved Hawkeyes or his beloved grandkids. RIck always made sure I called him after any event he might miss and would demand a call back if stats for the event weren't final. Rick cared about others so much and gave of himself always! I love him and will miss him dearly. I can't imagine being at the home opener without him this Fall, and I know I will never approach his 40+ year streak of never missing a home game. There is a hole in my heart without Rick here, and yet I know that he would want us all to carry on and live our lives to the fullest, just as he did! R.I.P. Rick and know that we are thinking of you always and loving you forever! Paul