Obituary of Richard J. "Ric" Rieffer

Richard J. “Ric” Rieffer, 72, passed away February 22, 2023 at the Leestown VA in Lexington, Ky. The oldest of six children, Ric was born on January 18, 1951 in Rockford, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents David and Shirley Hayter Rieffer and sisters Barbara Tabban and Linda Adams.

Ric enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and served his country in Vietnam, receiving an honorable discharge in 1972.

In 1977, he married Hope Pritt, whom he referred to as his miracle. He is survived by his wife of 46 years and two sons, Daniel (Jennifer) Rieffer and grandsons Anthony and Eduardo of Union, Ky., Matt (Lawanda) Rieffer and granddaughter Dani of Versailles, Ky. Survivors also include his brother, Stephen Rieffer of Rockford, Ill., and two sisters, Vickie Reynolds of Halls, Tn., and Bonnie Rolando of Loves Park, Ill.

Ric was a lifelong learner and servant leader. He was director of Mountain Outreach at the University of the Cumberlands from 1987 to 1995. He was an ordained minister, serving three years as pastor of Bacon Creek Baptist Church in Corbin, Ky. He was named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Brereton C. Jones in 1995. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in 1999 and his Masters from the University of South Florida in 2001. He spent 17 years as a middle and high school teacher, two years in Colorado and 15 years in Florida, before his retirement in 2013.

Ric was a loving husband, father and grandfather with an exuberance for life. His hobbies included wood working, leather crafting, painting, playing the dulcimer, fishing and sporting clays. He was also a PADI certified master diver.

A military honors service will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, 6980 Danville Rd., Nicholasville, Ky., on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception from noon to 2 p.m. at Clark Legacy Center, 601 East Brannon Rd., Nicholasville, Ky.