Richard (Rick) Lee Gengler, 69, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022, in Beloit, Kansas. He was born in Beloit, Kansas, August 20, 1953, to Walter and Rita (Wessling) Gengler.
He attended first grade at St. John's Catholic School in Beloit and then moved with his family to Long Beach, California, in 1962. Rick went to grade school at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School in Long Beach and was a 1972 Millikan High School graduate.
Rick was a very good athlete; anything he did, he did well. Whether it was water skiing behind his own boat, darts, ping-pong or softball, Rick was top-notch. Rick pitched and batted clean up. Rick spent many hours riding/practicing on the unicycle and his tenacity paid off; he was a proficient rider!
One of Rick's many jobs, was at the Long Beach airport fueling cargo planes. During that time, he became friends with a flight instructor, and began taking flying lessons. Although he never obtained his pilot's license, he was very proud to have completed the "ground school training" and acquired enough flight hours to have "solo"ed, in a Cessna 152.
Rick could run any machine, or equipment, as evidenced by being in the "Operating Engineer" union. He felt at home in the driver's seat of tractors, trucks, backhoes, forklifts, but his favorite was the grain cart.
Rick met his future wife, Renee Hermes, at St. Cornelius Church in Long Beach, California, in 1999 and they subsequently married in the same church on January 26, 2002.
Rick was an operating engineer and retired from Local 12 in Southern California in 2007. He then joined Renee in moving to DeKalb, Illinois, where he enjoyed picking corn with a local farmer. They next moved to League City, Texas, where he volunteered with the Galveston County Fair Board. Finally, Rick and Renee retired to Beloit in 2016.
Rick enjoyed farming with his family here in Beloit. He was the best grain cart driver and he didn't mind telling you so. He also loved hosting parties in the house and ping-pong in the shed with dear friends. Everyone was always welcome. Having experienced a heart attack while living in Texas, Rick also volunteered at the Mitchell County Emergency Medical Services station where he was a strong advocate of CPR training.
Rick wasn't afraid of hard work; an old-fashioned work ethic was instilled by generations before him. He was proud to show off his many cherished, hard earned items and self-achievements. He was persistent and you couldn't help but experience the same level of joy he had. His childlike heart and love will be missed.
Rick was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Kirk Engel; brother, Tom Gengler, Long Beach, California; and brother-in-law, Russ McKissack, Long Beach, California. Rick is survived by his wife, Renee (Hermes) Gengler; his daughter, Heather Gengler, Long Beach, California; daughter-in-law, Patrice Heller, Cerritos, California; and granddaughter Alexis Heller, Cerritos, California. He is also survived by his brothers, Ron (Cynthia) Gengler, Palm Desert, California, and Steve Gengler, Flower Mound, Texas. He will be missed by his sisters, Susan McKissack, Long Beach, California, Cheryl (Pete) Murray, Lakewood, California, and sister-in-law, Jackie Gengler, Long Beach, California. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, November 30, at the temporary St. John's Church and former Dollar General Building.
A rosary service will be at 7 PM Tuesday, November 29, and visitation will be from 1 PM until the rosary service begins at the Roberts Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. John's Restoration Fund or Heart Choices.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com