From Julie Watson – Class of ‘65
RICHARD "DICK" RAMBO OBITUARY —
Richard "Dick" Rambo Gilbert - Dick Rambo, 75, passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2023, with his family at his side. For 27 years he fought Parkinson's disease, staying physically strong to the end through active participation in classes from Banner Neuro Wellness: gym, music, speech, and men's group.
Born in Battle Creek, Michigan, the family came by train to the Valley when he was a preschooler. He attended Pioneer Elementary in Mesa, Grand Avenue School, Heard School, West High, and Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, graduating in 1966 along with his sweetheart Deidra (DeeDee) Lumpkin. Dick enjoyed wrestling, football, and track in high school, earning state pole vault championships three years, and a PVHS record that wasn't beat until 1997. An honors student and president of his senior class, Dick went on to ASU on a full track scholarship for pole vaulting, where he cleared 17 feet and nearly qualified for the 1972 Olympics. He studied architecture and then fine arts, graduating with a BFA in Environmental Design. Dick and DeeDee were married in 1969.
Dick began a 29-year career in fire service, first with the Tempe Fire Department as a firefighter, then a paramedic, captain, training officer, and battalion chief. In 1995 he joined the newly formed Gilbert Fire Department as their first assistant fire chief. He participated in the 1985 and 1987 World Police & Fire Games, earning gold medals in Men's Senior Pole Vault.
Dick would say his favorite roles in life were being a believer in Christ, a dad, a husband, and a grandpa. He was also a pole vault coach, a board member, and the building committee head for Valley Christian High School. With his background in architecture, he helped design fire stations and a training center, as well as designing and building his family's house in Gilbert. He wrote songs, playing guitar and singing for friends and family, weddings, church ministry, and prison ministry. After retirement he enjoyed making stained glass windows, building ceramics, and writing stories about his life experiences. Early retirement due to Parkinson's allowed him to pursue these interests as well as participating in short-term mission trips to help build churches in Romania, Bulgaria, and the Philippines.
When friend and fellow firefighter Ed Gaicki lost his life in a fire in 1980, Dick wrote "Eddie's Song" to sing and play at his memorial service. Feeling overwhelmed with anxiety about his ability to perform in such an emotional setting, he said a prayer despite referring to himself as an atheist: "I can't DO this, God. If you exist, help me please!" He immediately felt a surge of peace and power that he recognized as his answer to that prayer. After that, his life changed dramatically as he came to know and receive the free gift of salvation from Jesus. Next came an outpouring of lyrics and music from the Holy Spirit, which he used to write new songs; he sang and played guitar for new audiences from that time forward. He wrote about this and other experiences in his book, "The Silver Chord: Stories from the Heart of a Firefighter." Three weeks after 9/11/2001, Dick wrote in the Gilbert Fire Department Dispatch, "If your soul was required of you this day, would you be ready?" He went on to quote Jesus in his favorite verse (John 14:6): "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years, DeeDee, sister-in-law Gail Rambo, brother-in-law Glenn Lumpkin, his adult children Pamela (Michael) Golafshar of Oregon, Jesse (Alexis), and Ryan of Gilbert, grandchildren Darius, Lacey, Kian, and step-grandchildren Addi, Owen, and Luke, as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Evelyn Rambo, brother Jack Jr., and sister Barbara Rambo-Sprinzl.
Donations may be made in Dick's honor to the Neuro Wellness Charitable Organization, IRS 501c approved and QCO #22499 per AZ Dept. of Revenue. nwcoaz.com
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, April 22 at 10 am, with outdoor reception following at Grace Community Church, 1200 E. Southern, Tempe.
Dicks slideshow, book and music are available for free download here: https://dickrambo.org.