Richard Schiesl

Richard Michael Schiesl, 55, of Talkeetna died peacefully March 22, 2010, at Mat-Su Medical Center in Palmer, surrounded by family.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Denali Fairview Inn.

He was born June 19, 1954, to Mary and Jack Schiesl in Kenosha, Wis.

He moved to Mount Hull in Washington in 1988 and traveled to Alaska in 1992 to stay.

Rick was an independent fishing and hunting guide from Valdez to the Brooks Range.

Rick was also known for caretaking the Historic Denali Fairview Inn for almost 10 years, and rebuilding the West Rib Pub after a fire. He built the handicap trails in Sourdough and also the handicap access for Thompson Pass. Rick and brother Terry planted many trees on the Coleville Indian Reservation, as well as providing firewood for people on energy assistance.

He loved to fish for walleye under the Grand Coulee Dam. He worked as an apple picker, and fought fires as a volunteer firefighter in Washington state. He received several certificates for his generous support of The Wilderness Woman Contest and Bachelor Auction. He was honored with the Community Service Award for the Talkeetna Village Park Enhancement Project. He communed with of all the animals of the world and spent time in most of our national parks. He grew many gardens and ate off the land.

Rick was authentic, resourceful and very artistic. He lived fully every day, up until the very end.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary.

He is survived by his father, Jack Schiesl; brothers, Dave, Greg, Mark and "Little Brother" Terry of "The Birch Creek Boys"; niece, Jessica; and nephew, Chase; and numerous cousins; significant other, Betsy Heilman; and best friend, "Bubbha the king."

He was truly a one-of-a-kind human being.