Rickey Allan Bohnenkamp, 70, of Lomax, Ill. died Sept. 27, 2023.
Born on March 16, 1953, in Keokuk, he was the son of George and May Bohnenkamp. Rickey was the youngest of five children. Rickey's first home was on a dairy farm near Argyle. The farm failed after the dairy herd had to be put down due to wasting disease. His family sold the dairy and moved West to California. His parents later divorced in 1957.
During his youth, Rickey and his mother moved frequently, living as apartment dwellers, and he attended eight public schools before finally attending Brea-Olinda Unified High School, graduating in June 1971.
Rickey started earning wages at nine years of age, doing yard work, collecting pop bottles, and washing cars for folks. His first actual paycheck came from TG&Y Department Store in Fullerton, Calif. Rickey later worked his way through High School at Lucky Markets, first as a box boy, then later advanced as a journeyman produce clerk after completing his apprenticeship at age 18. Rickey worked a short period at Eagle Market, then was soon hired on at J.I. Case Company in Burlington. After working as a weldment cleaner for a year, Rickey enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Hull Maintenance Technician. Rickey served on the USS Mobile and the USS Dixon during the Vietnam War. After completing a four-year hitch, he returned to work at J.I. Case Company.
Rickey served as union Steward for the local UAW for several years. He became a journeyman millwright before retiring in 2003.
He produced a video to help families that experience a head injury, titled WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. He did this due to the lack of information following his daughter Emily's head injury in a motor vehicle accident.
Rickey taught himself and became a master craftsman at building strip canoes. Rickey collected guns and loved to target shoot. He would buy old guns, refurbish them, and resell them. Rickey's favorite activities included travel, motorcycling, mechanics, small boat building, and practical jokes.
Rickey married Lori Ruberg on Friday, the 13th of June 1980. Since then, they have resided in Lomax and grew a family with their three daughters, Corina, Emily, and Elizabeth.
Rickey was preceded in death by his mother, May Bohnenkamp, father, George Bohnenkamp, one sister, Sandra Henriksen, two brothers, Marc Bohnenkamp and Gary Bohnenkamp, Sr., and two daughters, Corina Bohnenkamp and Elizabeth Bohnenkamp.
The funeral service for Rickey Allan Bohnenkamp will be on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street, Burlington with the Rev. Larry Van Gundy as officiant.
A memorial fund in Rickey's honor is established for the River Bend Food Bank, 4010 Kimmel Dr, Davenport, IA 52802.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of arrangements.