Rodney Harold Ricketts of Stanardsville, VA passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on October 22, 1945, in St. Petersburg, FL, he was the son of the late Harold DeLeon Rickets and Jean Sanders Ricketts. Moving with his parents to Tampa, he graduated from H. B. Plant High School in 1963. Rodney continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA where he received his Bachelor's ('67) and Master's ('69) degrees in Aerospace Engineering.
In 1968, Rodney began his professional career at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, TX and later joined Vought Hampton Technical Center in Hampton, VA. His 28-year career with NASA Langley Research Center commenced in 1977. Upon retirement from NASA in 2005, Rodney and Chee left their home in Poquoson and moved to Greene County, VA. In recent months, Rodney resided at The Village at Gordon House in Gordonsville, VA.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Caroline "Chee" Ricketts; cherished daughter Michelle Evans and son-in-law Travis Evans of Gaithersburg, MD; brother Chester Earl Ricketts and sister Jill Elaine Ricketts, both of Tampa, FL; and Marjorie Sanders Preston, his maternal aunt, of Clayton, GA.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 11 am at the Stanardsville United Methodist Church, 25 Court Square.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or a favorite charity.
An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com
Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Dearest Chee,
Sue and I offer you and your daughter our heartfelt condolences on your great loss. We will forever keep Rodney in our hearts, and you and Michelle in our thoughts.
Much love, Duncan & Sue
Duncan & Sue Duvall
Friend
October 27, 2019
After many years of exchanging correspondence and telephone calls between the east and west coasts with my cousin, Chee, in 2006 I was finally able to meet her and her husband, Rodney, at their home in Poquoson. It was a quick visit as they were packing to move to their new home.
Nevertheless, my husband David and I spent a delightful time enjoying Southern dessert and getting to know Rodney and Chee. We were also enchanted with the dock a few yards from their home where one could hop into the rowboat and appreciate all the wildlife as you float along in the estuary.
The next time we saw Rodney and Chee they were at their beautiful farm in Stanardsville. It was 2012. Rodney was a wonderful host, making sure that we experienced the best that their home, Skylight Farm, and Greene County had to offer. We tested our skill at skeet shooting, fished in the pond, and were introduced to Midnight Cowboy, the handsome black bull who bonded with Rodney at birth. Another day we took in the glorious drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped for lunch at Big Meadows Lodge. We climbed Hawksbill Summit and drank in the enchanting view.
In 2013, Rodney, Chee and Hubble came in their RV to Indiana Dunes National Park on the shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana, where our daughter, Helen was married. David and I were treated to some tasty campfire meals during their stay, and we all went hiking in the dunes.
Our last visit with Rodney and Chee was in 2014. Our daughter, Alexis, drove down after a medical conference in Washington, D.C. to join us for a brief time. She was able to meet her second cousin, Michelle Ricketts Evans. They were born in the same year and both studied biochemistry.
Even though the Parkinsons demons were continuing to attack Rodneys body, his spirit was strong. Rodney and David spent a morning at the local golf course having fun swinging at the balls and talking. Rodney and Chee took us to Monticello, where David and I spent hours exploring the house and grounds.
I was treated to Rodneys sense of humor when he asked me if I would like to ride their mule. I suspected something, but had no idea that his little open-air vehicle was it. We bounced around the farm in it, and he showed me the place in the woods where he wanted to create a lake.
There was not enough time or vigor for all the things Rodney wanted to do. I think of his intelligence, his caring, and his love for Chee and Michelle. When I think of Rodney, I picture him standing at the cattle fence having a quiet conversation with Midnight. Im so fortunate that I got to know him.
Roberta Long
Family
October 24, 2019
Patricia Jay Belk
Classmate
October 23, 2019
Dear Chee, He was a wonderful husband and father. I send my sympathy to you and your daughter. We will pray for you. He is now in a peaceful place.
Patricia Richmond
October 22, 2019
What an extraordinary journey the two of you shared, full of love's flow and bedrock of disease, like the delicate balance of light and dark in your paintings. I sense that Rodney will linger in your life's colors.
Patsy Asuncion
Friend
October 22, 2019
As a test engineer who often conducted tests at the LRC Transonic Dynamics Tunnel I had the pleasure of working with Rodney; always the Gentlemen and Joker. We will all miss him!
Frank Rauch
Coworker
October 21, 2019
Oh, Chee. How we have reminisced on you and Rodney and what he meant to us!! He will forever be our first live Christmas tree cutting guide. Will always remembers the 9 holes of golf they played together every week. We send much love and prayers to you and Michelle.
Sara and Will Dyer
Friend
October 21, 2019
a loved one
October 20, 2019
Chee,
Truly, your beloved was a remarkable man, married to you, a remarkable woman. My heartfelt condolences and prayers in the days ahead
Christine Contakes
Friend
October 19, 2019
Thinking of you, Mrs. Ricketts (Chee).
Julia Travers
Student
October 19, 2019
We send our deepest condolences on your loss of a remarkable man and life partner, Chee. Please know that our prayers are for and with you.
Ric and Sherril Beard
Friend
October 19, 2019
Treasuring our memories of our visits to the farm. With much love and hugs!
Lolly and Jack Ellis
Friend
October 19, 2019
He definitely lived! Wow what. Full and rich life! I wish I had known him! I can see why Chee fell in love with him. I send my love and prayers to the entire family and friends! May the many happy memories of your life together sustain you in the coming years! In Jesus abiding love Paulette Mu.
Paulette MUNN
Friend
October 19, 2019
Chee, I am so sorry for your loss. No words can ease the pain. Sending you big HUGS, Joanie
Joan Herrema
Friend
October 19, 2019
Linda Kelly Webb
Classmate
October 19, 2019
Chee, thinking of you and your family with love...my heartfelt condolences on your loss. Rodney had a remarkable life, filled with so much love from his family and friends. May your memories of him and your adventures together ease your heart.
Carole Pivarnik
Friend
October 19, 2019
Dear Chee, I remember fondly my visit with you and Rodney at your wonderful farm, when it was fairly new to you. He was a lovely and gentle person. My sincere sympathies.
Judy Jerkins (Dana Dunham's sister)
J Jerkins
Acquaintance
October 18, 2019
Chee, Please know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers over the years and I am sorry for your loss. I only met Rodney once but remembered how nice, friendly and considerate he was as he packed my art supplies into your car for a workshop. Listening to you talk about him, I could sense his love for you and family and how loving and devoted you were to him. May your friends and family sustain you at this time, and my your art and teaching skills bring you peace and joy. Etta Levin
Etta Levin
October 18, 2019
I am thankful for the many backpacking adventures that I shared with Rodney. When I was navigating a difficult time in my life, the Spring and Fall AT hikes that Rodney masterfully organized were a major support for me. I had the fearful pleasure of scrambling up the side of Mount Solomons (A thirteener in the Sierra Nevadas) with Rodney, on loose talus. If Chee could have seen us that day, Rodney would never have gone hiking again :-)
My fondest memory is the way Rodney would yell "YYYAAAAHHHOOOO" at the top of every pass. He could make that cry echo through the mountains. The only negative aspect of hiking with Rodney was the fact that his legs seemed twice as long as everybody else's - he "left us in the dust" on every hike.
His sense of humor would sneak into the conversations around the campfire, and leave us chuckling into the night. I am honored to have known him, and I believe he is hiking with "Exit Earl" today, in a place of exquisite beauty.
Clark Lentz
Friend
October 17, 2019
Chee: I will miss him. Greene has lost a favorite son but he will be remembered for his kind gentle nature. I will not forget the few times our paths crossed even though it was mostly doing business. Even though I say it was of a business nature I immediately counted him as a friend. I remember the first time I talked to him over the phone (and what he said) plus I remember the last time we were together and the few times in between. I cherish those moments. You and Rodney made a difference in Greene and in my life. Thank you for that. Love Marvin
Marvin Caish
Friend
October 17, 2019
Dear Chee, My deepest condolences go out to you and your family. The battle is done. May only the good memories live on. God grant you peace.
Lori Gore
October 17, 2019
Chee and Rodney are special friends whom we consider family. We have shared so may wonderful times with them and we will always cherish those. Those we love are always with us. Our most heartfelt prayers go to Chee and Michelle whose loving care showed no bounds. May God's richest blessings be theirs!
Janelle and Bob Proctor
October 16, 2019
Chee, I send my condolences to your whole family. I only met Rodney once, and it was so interesting to read his obituary. He was a remarkable person! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Peg Sheridan
Friend
October 16, 2019
I talked to and knew Rodney since 1979. I am sorry to hear that he has passed away. I understand that in the last years he had been sick and have not seen him around. When Rodney was active I saw and talked to him around NASA and at AIAA conference meetings. After he retired from NASA, I got a couple of his textbooks that he offered to anyone interested. I will always will remember him when I look at those textbooks even though I am now also retired fro NASA.
I am not sure if the people in the Aeroelasticity Branch at NASA Langley Research Center know of his death, but, unfortunately, most all of the people who knew of him at the branch are gone, retired, or died when he was branch head.
It was good to know him!
Sincerely,
Tony Pototzky
Tony Pototzky
Coworker
October 16, 2019
Ms. Ricketts,
We're sorry for your loss and would like to send you and your family, prayers of comfort!
We'd like to thank you for the delicious vegetables from your garden and your many ways of showing us kindness.
The Housekeeping Staff from the Village at Gordon House.
October 16, 2019
I was lucky enough to know Rodney through his close friendship with my father, and, in time, came to think of him as part of my own family. My favorite memories of Rodney are of his wonderful sense of humor (the corny jokes...), his almost religious (and amazingly cheerful) devotion to daily, before-dawn jogs, his unparalleled energy when we toured Washington, D.C., and his amazingly delicious weekend pancakes. Rodney was the type of person who could made people happy just by being around him, with his warm smile and ready conversation. He was highly intelligent, and would get endearingly passionate about his intellectual interests. He was devoted to his family, and though never boastful about his own accomplishments, was proud to shine a spotlight on theirs. He was loved by my family, and I will miss him very much. I hope that Chee, Michelle, and all his family and friends will take comfort in happy memories of this remarkable individual.
Christine Benton Criswell
Friend
October 15, 2019
My best memory of Rodney was the time he challenged me to run down the side of a mountain with him at the end of a long weekend of hiking. Needless to say we got back to the cars well ahead of everyone else, so we sat and had a long conversation. I think that was one of my first hikes with the "Glacier Guys" and it was great to feel part of a group.
Also I remember he used to use a long closet rod as his hiking pole - probably to clear out the spider webs that crossed the trail first thing in the morning, since he was always one of the faster hikers thanks to his long stride.
Craig Warman
Friend
October 15, 2019
Ms. Chee,
My condolences go out to you, and your family. What a pleasure to have met you and Mr. Rodney, for only a short time, I could see and feel a long commitment and your sincereness. Prayers will surely take care of you. You will always be a part of us, your Gordon House Family, Debbie!
Debbie Ewell
Friend
October 15, 2019
Always appearing very kind and caring for others is how I will always remember Rodney. Ann and I are deeply sorry for all that he, Chee, and his family have had to endure, and we offer our sincere condolences.
Bill and Ann Piland
Friend
October 15, 2019
Prayers for you and your family. Irene Knox Brock 68
Irene Brock
Classmate
October 14, 2019
Michelle
Im so sorry for your loss. Your father had a distinguished career and life. Take care.
Barney
Bernard Waggoner
Friend
October 14, 2019
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