SUFFOLK - On Sept. 20, 2009, a great man and father passed to be in a better place. "Rick," or "Skinny," as he was affectionately referred to by his friends was born March 10, 1934, and lived a full life. Always dedicated and loyal, he faithfully served in the United States Army, Virginia National Guard, retired from BB&T Bank, raised three fine boys, and provided both guidance and enjoyment to a pile of grandchildren. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Charlotte Nierman; his three sons and their respective spouses, Mike and Sherry, Richie and Marlene and Chris and Kimberly; grandchildren, Keith and wife Mandi, Challis, Kyle, Rachel, Aubrey, Alyssa, Noah and Reagan; and great-grandchild, Saige. Also noted are cousins, Bill, Colleen, Gary and Donna. His list of friends is countless. For Rick, his family came first and his friends ran a close second. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing, golfing, riding his scooter, watching football, and especially the company of friends and family. He spent his time between his two favorite locations: Oak Hill fishing camp in Florida, and the wonderful community of Eclipse, Va. His family will miss his companionship. His friends will miss his good nature. The coffee crew will miss his morning conversations at Boones, and among other things, his grandchildren will miss "Pap-Pap's" warm smile and famous chocolate milkshakes. Rather than a formal ceremony, the family will accept friends at a celebration to be held at the C.E. & H. Community Hall located at 8881 Eclipse Drive, Suffolk, Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. The gathering is informal and dress is casual as he would have preferred. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2727 Enterprise Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, is handling arrangements. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.