Michael A. Ricker

Michael Ricker died January 7, 2006 as a result of complications from a ruptured brain aneurysm suffered on January 1. He was surrounded by family and loved ones as he passed away at University Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Michael was a celebrated and accomplished artist and sculptor for more than four decades. His work has been treasured by hundreds of thousands of collectors as well as dozens of prominent figures and celebrities including former Presidents, athletes, actors, and entertainers. Born in Fort Collins on September 15, 1940, Michael took an immediate attraction to art in his early years and was constantly drawing in his spare time. He also had an uncanny entrepreneurial spirit for a young boy and recruited his brother and sisters to help him create gifts and sell them in the neighborhood for charity. After graduating from Fort Collins High School, Michael attended Colorado State University. During his college years at CSU, Michael continued as an entrepreneur while developing his artistic talents. He quickly saw an opportunity to add cartooning to physical ed and fraternity and sorority T-Shirts. He found his business and talents in high demand and decided to hit the road selling his T-Shirts from campus to campus. In the late 1960's, Michael teamed up with his in-laws, Norb and June Bartlett to start Ricker-Bartlett, Inc. in Estes Park. He began to produce pewter jewelry and sculpture in a small casting studio with new molding and casting techniques developed by his then father-in-law, Norb. Ricker-Bartlett began selling Pewter PeeWees, small pewter animal figurines, by the thousands to gift shops across the country. In 1975, Michael began working on the masterpiece that will forever leave his mark as one of the most talented and proficient American artists of all time. Park City, a 30 foot by 10 foot miniature town depicting life at the turn of the 19th century, was completed in 1986 and presented to former President Gerald Ford at a gala event in Denver that attracted thousands of collectors from all over the country. Ford graciously accepted the 'key' to Park City and promised a home for the masterpiece in the Smithsonian Institute. Park City became the foundation for Michael's Museum and Gallery in Estes Park, which opened to a gala event in 1993. It had always been Michael's vision to create 'three-dimensional history books' to preserve history for generations of children to come. Tourists and collectors toured the facility by the thousands, with each tour culminating in a visit to Park City with its magical Park Carousel, Circus Parade, Riverboat, and Town Hall. Perhaps more important than his work as a talented artist, Michael was also a tireless philanthropist. He donated his time, talent, and money to various charities and causes including the Make-a-Wish Foundation United Way, Children’s Diabetes Foundation, Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society. For over ten years, Michael hosted an annual golf and gala event to benefit the American Cancer Society that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, Michael created special works of art that were auctioned off at many charity events. He held a special place in his heart for children's charities and his most rewarding work was when he was able to spend time with the children. Most recently, he had helped Realities for Children located in Fort Collins, Colorado. As the years passed, Michael began to simplify his business with fewer galleries and ultimately moved his gallery and museum to old town Fort Collins. As he entered his sixties, his chronic back pain began to prevent him from sculpting as much as he used to but he still continued to release dozens of new creations each year. Michael is survived by his fiancé Jeanne Dougherty; his mother Mary Gretchen Ricker of Fort Collins, sons Ty Ricker of Steamboat Springs, CO, Trent Ricker and his wife Jana of Austin, TX, daughter Ashlie and her husband Bill Smith of Estes Park, sisters Judy Nicholson and Mary Jo Simons of Fort Collins, brother Gary Ricker of San Diego, CA, grandchildren Michael and Johnathon of Steamboat Springs and Jordan of Austin, and step-grandchildren Kyle, CJ & Danielle Smith, of Fort Collins and Estes Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Realities for Children or Make A Wish Foundation in care of Allnutt Funeral Service.