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Richard Estes Obituary
Williamsburg, VA
Richard Estes, 59, of Williamsburg, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
Rick attended St. Anselm's College from 1975 – 1979, earning his Bachelor of Science before receiving his Master's degree from Boston College. He worked in life science sales for Gilson, having previously worked for Bio-Rad and IBM.
For those lucky enough to know Rick, his passion for everything in his life was something to behold. He loved his wife of 36 years, his beautiful daughters, his grandchildren and all of his family with such a big heart. In addition, he was a passionate and committed friend, member of his church, a 3rd degree Knight, Boston sports fan and cyclist. He also enjoyed gardening and fishing, wedding dancing, and was a craft beer enthusiast. He was working toward his goal of riding Mt. Mitchell in May with several of his cycling friends when he was called home by the Lord.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 36 years, Donna J. Estes; daughters, Dr. Amy Estes Miller and husband David V. Miller, and Kelly Estes Karamanov and husband Vincent T. Karamanov; grandchildren, Estelle Sophia Miller and Sean Walter Miller; brothers, Paul Estes (Alison) and Gary Estes (Susan); parents, Richard H. and Margaret D. Estes; in-laws, Rick Waitt (Patrice), John Waitt (Krista), Mary Sutton, Terry Waitt, Dee Bobersky; mother-in-law, Marilyn Waitt; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Monday, April 10 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. Mass will be offered at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg on Tuesday, April 11 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or the St. Bede Garden Ministry.
Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Estes
Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.
Shaun Stauffer
May 10, 2018
My condolences to Rick's family and friends. I was a Gilson customer in 2014 and just learned of his passing while reaching out to connect again to help with a new lab. He was a joy to work with and had an infectious smile whenever he came in the lab. Sending prayers in time of healing.
June 26, 2017
Donna and family, I have known Rick for ages, being a life science recruiter in the industries for years. We spoke of long distance cycling, a passion of mine and something he did too. He was doing so well and happy with Gilson.
Very missed, a successful business person and well liked by friends and well loved by family.
So sorry for your loss,
Ann Brooks,St. Augustine, Fl.
A special day that won't be forgotten.
Cathy Estes Downs
May 27, 2017
Todd Whiteford
April 25, 2017
I was so sorry to hear this news. Rick and I worked together at two separate companies. I always respected Rick professionally and personally.
Rick gave me both professional and personal advise that I draw from today. Thank you!
My sincere condolences to the Estes family. I can see Rick's smiling face as I write this, he will be missed.
Chris Brannen
April 25, 2017
Dear family,
I knew Rick from working together at ProteinSimple and knew of his legendary status of highly regarded reputation from also overlapping at Bio-Rad. I shared a passion and wanderlust of cycling as a common bond that joined Rick and I over many friendly chats. I have family in Cary NC and often spoke with Rick about coming to his roads for some challenging rides together. He's the one person that I knew who (to this day) reminds me of the importance of having a good & reliable chain on my bikes and not to "mash the pedals" while shifting gears on a steep climb. I recall his stories of how he got really injured once with a broken chain issue on a steep climb. I'm so saddened to learn about this loss. And I know that Rick loved his family dearly. He always spoke in that way. I bet he's up in Heaven now riding around in the mountains of clouds and looking down from above now at Mt Mitchell and smiling as he's in a good place with plenty of new cycling roads ahead of him.
Roman Romilowych
April 25, 2017
To Ricks family. I was saddened to hear this news as I was catching a flight today. I've known Rick from his BioRad days and we saw a Red Sox game together many years ago at Fenway. He was as you well know a great guy. Always so professional and helpful. Great sense of humour. Proud of his family and an honourable man. Would have been nice to have cycled together sometime. My best regards to his dear family. He was a pleasure to have known and met.
Simon Lee
April 25, 2017
So sad to hear this news. I worked with Rick at Bio-Rad and at Protein Simple - and he was a great guy and fun to be with at sales meetings. Please accept my condolences.
Sandy Unverferth
April 24, 2017
Donna my heart hurts for your family. I think of you often and am so sorry for your loss. Please know your entire family is in my prayers.
Jim Maki
April 24, 2017
Dear Donna,
My deepest sympathies on Rick's passing. We worked together at Ciphergen and stayed in touch since then. We always had a fun time discussing sales and hopping off that endless treadmill :). My prayers are with you and your family.
Jim Maki, Chicago
April 19, 2017
Donna and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. He always spoke so lovingly about his family when we were together for work.
Frank Kopelson
Victor Amirault
April 11, 2017
Dear Donna and Family,
We were shocked to learn of Rick's passing and want you to know that we are thinking and praying for all of you. On Palm Sunday we had a candle lit for Rick and for all of you.
When we think of Rick we are so assured that he knew deep love and was greatly loved.
"Love bears all things, believes all things,hopes all things,endures all things.Love never ends."
Take Care and Much Love,
Victor and Glenda
Barb and Tom Collins
April 11, 2017
We were so sad to hear of Ricks passing.
He was always such a happy, mild mannered guy who loved his family and also loved his sports.
Prayers and our deepest sympathy to you and your lovely family.
Joe & Jan Mattos
April 10, 2017
Donna and family,
We were saddened to hear the news about Rick. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
April 10, 2017
Dear Donna, Amy and Kelly,
Our hearts hurt for all of you on the passing of Rick. We will never forget the time you and Rick came to visit and Rick and Bob went for a long bike ride and Rick came back with a broken arm. That was quite a ride. Rick and I spent a long time at the Sutton wedding talking about his bikes, his family and his precious grandchildren. Please know that to so many Rick was a real prince, never to be forgotten and always thought of as a wonderful, warm and very loving gentleman. Donna, I shed those tears with you.
Love, Aunt Dianne and Uncle Bob
Jean Wilbur
April 10, 2017
Dear Dick and Peggy,so sorry to hear of Rick's passing.There were plenty of good memories of him at family reunions in Windsor so many years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Also with Rick's family. This isn't how
It's suppose to happen.
Much love to you all.
Gail Stonefield
April 10, 2017
Donna,
I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your husband Richard. I want you to know that you and your family are in my prayers during this very difficult time.
You have been missed at the Rex pool since your move to Williamsburg.
Peace,
Jay Cunningham
April 10, 2017
To Donna and all of Estes and related families. Rick was my cycling friend and inspiration. We had planned on riding a big event in May that Rick had never done before in the Carolinas. He was quite the "climber" and never ceased to amaze me with his athletic abilities. However the best part of Rick was his personality. He was always calm,centered and low key. You could tell he had a great home life and family. We are all going to miss him. Our family prayers go out to all of you.
Gail Fleszar
April 9, 2017
Dear Donna, I was so sad to learn about your husband's passing in the Raleigh newspaper this morning. Please know that you and your girls will be in my heart, my thoughts and prayers today and in the days ahead. I miss seeing you at St, Mary Magdalene.
April 9, 2017
Dear Donna and all the Estes Family,
We are heartbroken to hear about Rick. We will miss him terribly and remember him with love and laughter. It was always good to see you both!
Carol and Joe Costanzo
April 9, 2017
Donna,
I am so very sorry to learn of the loss of your husband. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you, the girls and all your family. I miss your smiling face and fun conversation at Rex. Take care and cherish your wonderful memories.
Susan McIver
Fuquay-Varina,NC
Sylvia Hink
April 9, 2017
Donna, so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. My sympathy to you and your family.
Makedonka Karamanova
April 9, 2017
Dear Donna,Amy Kelly ,their spouses accept my deepest condolences for Richard,s passing!He was wonderful person,husband,father, grand father and father in law.Vincent losses his second father.I deeply sorry for the big loss! With love Makedonka
Richard Amirault
April 9, 2017
What sad news Donna. Heartfelt condolences from all my family up here. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
April 9, 2017
To all of the Estes family. Please know we are thinking of you.We are very saddened. Richard and Pat Ames.
Catherine McCabe
April 9, 2017
Dear Donna - We are deeply sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
The McCabe family.(Glenridge)
Cheryl Condon
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna, your daughters , and the Estes family .... Life is so short. Cherish your memories. My prayers and condolences to you. He was so young in years to leave you. Memories of Growing up with you and graduating with Rick flood my mind. Fly with Angels.
Cheryl (Graham) Condon.
Marilyn Waitt
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna, Amy and Kelly - and families - I am heart-broken that my favorite "son-in-law" has gone to heaven. He has been the best husband, father and grandfather that I know - and I will miss him terribly. He had so
much love for everyone- And everyone really loved him.
As he called me - his "favorite mother-in-law - Marilyn Waitt
Joe Davis
April 8, 2017
To the Estes and Waitt Families, so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Fond memories of times in NR. May those memories and all the others that followed Rick carry you through this tough time.
Davis Family
Francesca Iovine
April 8, 2017
Kelly & Vincent, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss! Know that he will always be remembered in the love he left behind. Chicky
JoAnne Amirault
April 8, 2017
Donna and family, we are so very sorry to learn of Rick's passing. We are thinking of all And keeping you in our hearts.
With sympathy and love,
Rick and JoAnne
Diane Welch
April 8, 2017
So sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Our families, both the Estes and Waitts, have grown up together. Please know that we are thinking of you all, praying that memories and love carry you all through this tough time.
Diane Welch and family
Flip deCamp
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna and Family,
On behalf of the Father James Lee Rizer Council of the Knights of Columbus, I offer our sincere condolences to you and your family at the passing of our Brother Rick. The council will keep Rick, you, and your extended family in our thoughts and prayers, and stand by to offer assistance in this time of grief.
Flip deCamp
Grand Knight
Father James Lee Rizer Council
April 8, 2017
Donna, we are saddened at the loss of a Basketball icon! and NRHS 1976 mourns with you! (K. Silvia)
Flip deCamp
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna and Family,
On behalf of the Father James Lee Rizer Council 6828 of the Knights of Columbus, I offer our sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of our Brother Rick. We are saddened by the sudden loss and will keep Rick, you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Flip deCamp
Grand Knight
Father James Lee Rizer Council 6828
Knights of Columbus
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna and Family,
On behalf of the Father James Lee Rizer Council 6828 of the Knights of Columbus, I offer our sincere condolences at the passing of our Brother Rick. The Council will keep Rick and the entire Estes Family in our thoughts and prayers.
Flip deCamp
Grand Knight
Father James Lee Rizer Council 6828
Knights of Columbus
Suresh Singh
April 8, 2017
My heart goes out to the Estes family. I am sorry to hear of his untimely passing. It was
a pleasure working with him. I will definitely miss have him with me on installations and all of our conversations about life and sports. "Good buy old man"
I am sure we will cross paths again. May the lord guide you and take good care of you.
Your friend always,
Suresh Singh
Gilson1
Herlin Family
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna and the entire Estes family, We are so sorry and saddened to hear of Rick's passing. He was a true gem and will be missed by so many. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers and may the strength of the Lord be with you all.
Sandy Fisher
April 8, 2017
Dear Donna, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sandy Fisher (from the pool)
Daryl Arsenault
April 8, 2017
Estes and Waitt families - my condolences on your loss of a great man.
Lorraine & John Silvia
April 7, 2017
Dear Donna, We are so saddened to hear of Rick's passing. Our prayers go to you and your extended family.
Paul McGrath
April 7, 2017
Donna and family, Geri and I did get to know Rick and cherish the time we spent with him at the various Kinghts of Columbus events. He was truly a man of passion and brought that passion to everything that he did and everyone person that he touched. I enjoyed working and praying with Rick as a fellow Knight. He was so very proud of his daughters and grandchildren. You just had to mention anything about any of you and he just beamed with joy. Truly a beautiful person. I trust that God has his arms wide open and a heavenly course for Rick to cycle. We will keep all of you in our prayers and please know that you all were truly blessed by God in the gift of a very special person as your Husband, Dad and Grandfather! Love Paul and Geri McGrath
Judith Cryts
April 7, 2017
Donna, Deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Joe Mills
April 7, 2017
Donna and family, I was so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. He was a true gentleman, the best of the best. May you find comfort in your memories. He will be missed by many.
Joe Mills
KofC Council 7186
John Cudzik
April 7, 2017
My heart and prayers go out to you Donna and your family. I only met Rick when you both moved to Williamsburg from North Carolina a short time ago. We quickly built a friendship over bikes, beers, and coffee. In addition to the weekly shorter rides, Rick and I completed two Century rides during 2016 and we had more adventures planned for this year and those to follow. He was a very kind, funny, and dedicated guy from my perspective involving mostly two wheels. I can only imagine how Rick was as a family man but I am sure even more amazing. I only take comfort that he was taken home to the Lord pursuing his passion. God Bless you all.
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