Robert Gary Rickel

Robert Gary “Bob” Rickel, of Waitsburg, Washington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center on December 12, 2025. He was 92 years old.

Bob was born February 20, 1933, in Omak, Washington, to parents Wilfred and Ida Mae (Howe) Rickel. He spent the first years of his life in a log cabin on his parents’ homestead near Synarep, Tunk Valley, Washington. Following Ida Mae’s early death, the family moved frequently during Bob’s childhood. Bob completed four years at the Pasadena Park School in Spokane, then attended West Valley School (a two-room schoolhouse with four grades per room) and Otis Grade School. He attended eighth grade and most of high school in Tonasket while working part-time at a lumber mill, then moved in with his sister, Betty, and her husband, Jerry, to complete high school at Otis Orchards High School. After graduating from Otis Orchards, Bob began studying for an engineering degree at Washington State College (now Washington State University) before leaving to join the Air Force in hopes of becoming a pilot.

While in the service, Bob met Mary Simpson, and the two married in July 1955. After failing the vision test for pilot school, Bob completed his enlistment and returned to college and graduated in June 1960 with a Civil Engineering degree. Bob, Mary, and their two young sons, Jeff and David, then moved to Walla Walla, where Bob began work at the Corps of Engineers. A daughter, Cindy, arrived shortly afterward.

Bob remained at the Corps until his retirement in 1988. During this time, he rose to the rank of Chief of Hydrology. Following his retirement, Bob and Mary concentrated on their small farm on the outskirts of Waitsburg. Where they (with help from family and friends) had built a farmhouse out of wood salvaged from a former military barracks at the Walla Walla Air Base. Bob and Mary spent their retirement raising asparagus, alfalfa, cattle, and chickens while they helped to raise their grandchildren.

Bob is survived by Mary, his wife of over 70 years; their three children; two daughters-in-law, Esther and Carina; four grandchildren, Jonathan, Ariel, Emma, and Christopher; and one great-grandson, Zane. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Willie, Betty, and Ken.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla. Burial will be held at 2:00 PM at the Waitsburg City Cemetery.

Donations in his honor may be made to the Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Project (part of Rural Youth Enrichment Services) or to the Walla Walla Senior Citizens’ Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.