Mark A. Rickman

Mark A. Rickman, 91, of Haverford PA (formerly Sarasota FL and Cleveland OH), cherished husband of Sandra (Sandy), father of Jeff (Jill) and Steve (Terri), and grandfather of Annelise (Annie), Hannah, and Zay. Predeceased by his beloved brother Len and his dear nephew Leland, and by the smartest and most adorable Yorkshire Terrier ever to roam the earth. Survived by nieces Janine Rickman and Joy Cohn; brother-in-law Fenton (Bud) Cohn (Bea); sister-in-law Rochelle Friedberg; great niece Hilary Novatt; great nephew Cole Novatt; and many lifelong friends.
Mark was honorably discharged as a Corporal from the United States Army in 1953, after serving in the Korean War and earning a Korean Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal. He met the love of his life Sandy in Cleveland, married in 1956, and never looked back. Mark lovingly raised his two boys with Sandy in Cleveland, cheering Jeff at cross country meets, fixing anything and everything in his basement workshop, and even supplying Steve with the electronic components he needed to build a laser.
After earning his Associate Degree from Western Reserve University, he had a successful career in the electronics industry and became General Manager of an electronic ceramics plant in Bedford, OH, earning the respect and affection of his colleagues. His creativity is evident in multiple patents bearing his name. His sons followed Mark's interest in technology by pursuing careers in engineering and physics.
Though Mark's professional life took him all over the globe, mostly Sandy and Mark savored simple gatherings near home with dear friends and relatives, especially their treasured weekends at their camper at Parkman, OH. In 1983, he and Sandy started a second chapter in Sarasota, again punctuated by good times, biking, walking and picnicking on the talcum powder beaches with friends and family. A licensed ham radio operator for more than 70 years, Mark enjoyed playing poker with his buddies, and savoring Sandy's baked salmon and cookies. Mark and Sandy also excelled at making beautiful stained glass together. And he will always be remembered as a putterer (electrical and home repairs, electronics). He and Sandy spent many memorable times with Annie, at the water park and Disney World, and playing card games. They also took pride in watching the last Space Shuttle launch from Cocoa Beach with their son, Steve, a NASA engineer.
Mark assumed the best of everyone, and taught his sons to judge people by their character, not their wealth, academic degrees, or professional accomplishments. He had an easy impish grin, and loved teasing Sandy, searching for the very most delicious pastries, and admiring his grandchildren and granddogs over Skype. Mark took pleasure in buying lunch for any servicemember or veteran he encountered and in Annie's high flying accomplishments, telling everyone that his granddaughter flies planes. But his greatest joy was sitting on the couch with Sandy and declaring, "we're in for the night."
The family thanks the Jewish Federation of Sarasota FL and Sophia, Kerri, Tia, BJ, Marie and the many other kind and generous staff members at Sunrise Haverford, who have cared so well for Mark and Sandy. Anyone so inclined might consider gifts in memory of Mark to Korean War Veterans or Southeastern Guide Dogs. Service and burial private. Zoom shiva at a date soon to be determined.
Arrangements by Joseph Levine and Sons www.levinefuneral.com