Obituary of L. Richard Wickman

L. Richard Wickman - "Absent from the body, present with the Lord." Those were the first words that Richard Wickman uttered upon the news that his beloved wife of 64 years, Doris, had suddenly passed to Glory on New Year's Day 2014. Richard kept his faith to the end and joined Doris in the presence of his dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 4 at Susquehanna Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (SNRC) in Johnson City, NY. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John Leonard and Mildred Wickman, his sisters Iona (Howard) Brooks and Marion (Jim) Spencer, his brother Art (Rosemary) Wickman, and his son-in-law Don Hoffman. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl Hoffman, sons Bob (Anne) Wickman, and Bill (Pamela) Wickman, and daughter Bonnie (Ricky) Bullock. Doris and Richard have many beloved grand-children: Christopher (Laura) Hoffman, Cathy Jean Hoffman, Joseph (Kelcy) Wickman, Jeffrey (Natalie) Wickman, Jared Wickman (Wendy Swanson), Joshua Wickman (Katherine Hamilton), Lacey (Nick) Anglin, Benjamin (Rachel) Bullock, and Sarah (Elijah) Vaber. Their eight great-grandchildren have been a source of joy to Rich and Doris: Cassandra, Christa, Abigail & Emily Wickman, Isabella & Zachary Hoffman, and Nolan & Moira Anglin. Leonard Richard Wickman was born on July 3, 1927 in Vestal, NY. His class was the first to graduate from Vestal High School. Rich enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Upon his return, he met Doris on a double-date with her sister Rosanna and his dear friend Jack Dumbleton and the former were married on June 4, 1949. About 10 years and four children later, he was the assistant manager at Endicott Shoe Company when his father retired from IBM and they decided that "Pop" would teach Richard the carpentry trade. He excelled at homebuilding and mastered the art of trim work. When Art returned from Florida, the two brothers joined the Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners Local #281 (now #277) and earned a family reputation for excellence as they worked various construction jobs throughout the area until they retired. Rich loved to golf and did so as often as possible until he suffered a stroke in early 2010. While convalescing at SNRC, Richard enjoyed watching NY Giants, NY Mets and Syracuse basketball games with his sons when he wasn't busy playing Bingo or pinochle with his buddies. Doris and Richard were longstanding and faithful members of Calvary Baptist Tabernacle in Vestal, a ministry that grew from a Bible study started in his parents' living room in the late 1940's. The couple always cherished hosting their family for holidays and special occasions; now together again they look forward to the Feast of the Lamb. The family sends a heartfelt thanks to all of the staff at SNRC for the wonderful love and care extended to Richard over these past 5 years. Friends wishing to express their sympathies will be greeted on Monday, May 11 from 11AM – 12PM at Calvary Baptist Tabernacle, 729 Main Street, Vestal, NY 13850. A memorial service will commence at noon. A graveside military veteran salute and interment service will follow at Vestal Park & Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Tabernacle or New Life Ministries - Vestal Church in memory of Richard.