Richard E. CHRISTOPHERSON

Christopherson, Richard E. Rick succumbed to a heart attack in the early hours of Thursday, May 30, 2013. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 3, 2013 at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., today (Sunday) at the ALDEN-WAGGONER FUNERAL CHAPEL, Boise. Rick was born July 16, 1955, to Richard and Wilma Christopherson at Wallace, Idaho. He grew up in the small mining town of Mullan, Idaho. He graduated from Mullan High School in 1973. He received many scholarships and briefly attended the University of Idaho, and enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 7, 1975. Rick was stationed in GrossSachsenheim, Germany, for two years. During that time he served in the Third Missile Battalion 71st Artillery. After being honorably discharged from the army, he enrolled at North Idaho College. During the summer breaks, he would work at the Galena Mine. After graduating in 1978 with an Associate Degree in Science, he enrolled at the University of Idaho. He graduated in May 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Rick married the love of his life Cheryl (Huffman) Pena on Dec. 2, 1982. He then moved to Boise to pursue his career in IT at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. In 1987 he began working at Ore-Ida until the company began closing in 1999. While at Ore-Ida he decided to further his education at Boise State University and graduated with his MBA in May 1987. He worked at Micron Technology for one year, before starting his employment as an IT manager at Boise-Cascade/Boise, Inc. He remained with the company until the time of his death. Rick enjoyed life and had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He was most passionate about: music and reading of all kinds, motorcycle rides with his friends, traveling, camping, hiking, and skiing. Rick especially looked forward to his Sunday evening conversations with his dad. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cheryl; daughter, Erika, who was his pride and joy; stepsons that he loved as his own, Scott (Tishara) Pena and Keith Pena; his much-beloved grandchildren, Hannah, Henry and Alice; his father, Richard Christopherson; his younger brother, Ron (Hildra) Christopherson; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; extended family and many friends. Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma; his niece, Diana; his grandparents; and two brothers-in-law. Memorials may be made to Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety, or a charity of your choice.