Richard Pierce

Richard Alan Crane Pierce, 64, died Jan. 19, 2009, at his residence in Sutton.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Anchorage Funeral Home, 1800 Dare Ave., in Anchorage. For information, call Valley Funeral Home, 907-373-3344.
Richard was born July 8, 1944, in East Stroudsburg, Pa., to Thomas Alan and Dorothy Fannie (Crane) Pierce.
From an early age, Rick was involved in many different activities, which included dancing on "American Bandstand." It was with pride that he served his country in the military. In doing so, he was stationed in Korea and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was proud of the fact that he earned his paratrooper badge.
After returning to civilian life in 1970, Rick went to work in Denver, Colo., at a Chrysler dealership, where he remained until moving to Anchorage in 1982. Later, he began to work for Anchorage Chrysler in the fall of 1983 and was a mechanic specializing in air conditioning and electrical.
Rick was one of the first ASE certified mechanics in the United States.
Being a man of many talents, he lived to hunt and fish and at one point was a commercial halibut fisherman and a gunsmith.
He also enjoyed being involved with the National Hotrod Association (NHRA). He raced from the late 1960s into 1981 as an owner and driver of his own Rick Pierce Funny Cars.
Rick Pierce is survived by his children, Brian Pierce of North Carolina, Lisa Pierce of Colorado and Rebecca Hubler of Michigan; four grandchildren; and sisters, Marian M. Peechatka and Ilene Cook of Pennsylvania and Ann Trach of Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Dorothy Kresge; and brother, Elmer Kresge Jr., all from Stroudsburg, Pa.
Rick was a once-in-a-lifetime friend and all who knew him will miss him.
Arrangements are being handled by Valley Funeral Home in Palmer.