Richard Charles Chambers was born August 20, 1948, in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Charles and Lois Chambers. He died peacefully on September 3rd in Chyenne, Wyoming, at the age of 78.

In his childhood, Rick lived in Rock Springs and Lander, before his family moved to Cheyenne in 1963. Some of Rick’s fondest childhood memories were spending summers with his Grandma Mary in Ogden, Utah. As the eldest grandchild, Rick was the only one to have met his great-grandfather, Charles Hendrick, an early homesteader of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rick was proud of his family’s Wyoming heritage. His grandchildren are the 6th generation Wyoming natives.

While living in Cheyenne and attending East High School, Rick met the love of his life Susan Kepley. Rick and Sue’s first date was to a James Bond-themed party. After graduating from East in 1966, Rick attended the University of Wyoming for one year before enlisting in the United States Nacy. After naval boot camp, Rick returned to Cheyenne to marry Sue in December 1968.

Rick and Sue lived in Denver for a short time where Rick underwent training as an electrical technician. Rick was the stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia. Rick’s naval service saw him sail to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas. While in Virginia, Rick and Sue welcomed their oldest daughter, Tia, in 1970.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, Rick’s young family returned to Cheyenne where Rick embarked on a nearly 40-year career with the phone company, working for Mountain Bell, US West, Qwest, and CenturyLink. In Cheyenne, Rick and Sue welcomed another daughter, Cara, and a son, Sean. Together, the family spent many summers visiting Rick’s parents in Rock Springs and his aunts and uncles in Jackson.

Rick retired from CenturyLink in 2011 after 36 years with the phone company. He and Sue purchased a fifth-wheel trailer and spent summers traveling around Wyoming. Rick was an avid fly fisherman and spent winters tying flies and sorting gear to hit his favorite Wyoming fishing holes each summer. Rick and Sue especially enjoyed visiting Pinedale, Jackson, Yellowstone, Cody, Thermopolis, Buffalo, and Sheridan. For several of those summers, Rick and Sue took their grandchildren along. The grandkids have fond memories of watching Grandpa jumping from the high dive in Thermopolis and going to the 4th of July parade in Dubois.

In recent years, Rick was a regular at his local gym and worked out every morning. He maintained a healthy diet and was strong and active until the moment of his recent illness. To any of his caregivers, Rick was quick to show off how many squats he could do. Only weeks before his illness, Rick could cross the Laramie River in thigh-deep water with little effort. His strength and courage were proven in the face of his illness.

When Rick joined the Navy, Sue gave him a St. Christopher medal that he wore around his neck until the day of his passing. The patron saint of travel accompanied Rick on his earthly travels and will surely guide him as he searches for the great fishing hole in the sky.

Rick was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Lois, and his brother Terry. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan, their three children – Tia (Troy) of Mesa, Arizona, Cara (Jeremy) of Cheyenne, and Sean (Cara) of Cheyenne - and their three grandchildren, Thayne, Charlotte, and Maxwell.

Honoring Rick’s wishes, the family will hold a private gathering as Rick is interred at the Cheyenne National Cemetery. The family wishes that you honor Rick’s memory by thanking a veteran for their service to your country, by spending time with your loved ones, or by catching a fish from your favorite fishing hole.