Musician, adventurer and sports contributor, Richard Rhodes’ love of life ceased with his passing on August 27 in his 85th year. His brave battle with polycystic kidney disease for 15 years showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile.
He exemplified the graces of kindness, friendship and integrity. His loved ones will continue to honour his legacy.
Richard’s life was filled with exciting and unique experiences. He had a wonderful sense of adventure, and that, along with his musical talents in singing and playing the guitar, led him on travels around the world. Making his way back after a year of travels, his work with Teck Cominco took him to Yellowknife where he met his wife, Irene, in 1966. They were married for 29 years until her passing.
At Teck, Richard worked as an accounts manager and brought his effervescent personality to the workplace as well, making sure everyone was enjoying their jobs while still working hard. Many of those who worked alongside him became close friends whose bonds he cherished.
Richard was a pioneer in sport. He participated in the first and second Canada Winter Games and in the first Arctic Winter games, where he won a gold medal in badminton. Richard enjoyed this experience with wife, Irene, who joined him at the first Canada Winter Games and first Arctic Winter Games as she coached and played in volleyball.
One of Richard’s greatest joys was to give of his time and talents, spending time helping children in athletic and sporting activities. He gave back to the badminton communities in Yellowknife and later Trail by coaching in their youth programs.
After his children had experienced and expressed an interest in their chosen sport, he focused his abilities on coaching and teaching in those directions. He was one of the four founders of the Lower Columbia Girls Softball League. Richard was an inspirational coach, patient teacher and well respected mentor in the softball community for the next 35 years, achieving many levels of success during that time.
The peak of his coaching in girls softball was in 2004. Richard helped coach the U12 Thunder, who earned their way, as the first Canadian team, to the Babe Ruth World Series in Mattoon, Illinois.
Richard was recognized many times for his volunteer efforts, including being honored with the Kiwanis Sportsman of the Year Award, the same award his father, Ned Rhodes had been presented with 32 years earlier for his contributions to youth in the West Kootenay area in the sport of tennis. In 2011, Richard was also inducted into the Softball BC Hall of Fame for Special Recognition for his many decades of volunteering and enriching the softball community.
All adventures and journeys must come to a close before a new one starts. When it was time for him to say goodbye it was with dignity and grace. His daughters Shannon (Linda) of Calgary and Erin (Bob) of Minden, Nevada, brothers Larry (Ivana) and Chris (Frances), his 4 grandchildren Ryker, Terek, Aspen and Maëlle as well as friends and family will miss his jokes, laughter, and kind and gentle soul.
May all of you he had the pleasure of meeting along his journey in life, share with others memories of his smile, his sense of humour and his generosity of time and talents.
Donations in his memory can be made to the KBRH (Renal/Dialysis unit). There are not enough words to express how thankful both his family and friends are to the Renal unit staff including nurses, technicians, and doctors for taking such great care of Richard over his 15 years of dialysis treatment. He had a quality of life that allowed him to continue to travel, watch and participate in many milestones of his children and grandchildren, continue to contribute to the community and enjoy his love of life.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Richard Clarkson Rhodes August 27th 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique