Richard F. "Rick" Waite
War Wagon 14 & 16
1970-71
If you talked to Rick Waite for more than five minutes, you
would get an amazing story about his time as an Army
helicopter pilot in Vietnam or his grandchildren (and
sometimes both).
Not that he didn't have plenty of other interesting stories
to tell -- in his lifetime, he was also a drummer in a rock
band in his small hometown of Alburg, VT, worked as an
insurance adjuster in Washington DC and Georgia, owned a
video rental store in the 1980s, ran his own private
investigation company in Dalton, GA, and spent eight years
traveling cross-country in a travel trailer with his wife of
51 years, Diane.
Rick was a devoted husband, son,
father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle,
brother-in-law, father-in-law, neighbor, and friend, and
anyone could always call him anytime, anywhere about
absolutely anything and he would know exactly how to help
(or fake it until he figured it out).
He loved fishing, watching movies (and telling you about
them scene by scene), working on old cars, traveling
(specifically anywhere with a helicopter on site) and
woodworking. He had a reputation for being able to fix
just about anything -- especially messes he got himself
into.
Despite his best efforts, Rick died
peacefully at home the morning of December 6, 2023. He
is survived by his wife, Diane, daughters Missy (Charles)
and Angie, grandchildren Maddie (Cameron), Allie, and Max,
great-grandchildren Carolina and Lakeland, sisters Sheila
(Peter) and Candice (Mike), brother-in-law (Don),
sister-in-law Donna, grand-dog Marietta, and many beloved
nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents,
Blanche and Francis, his brother Russell, and nephew David.
Rick will be laid to rest with
military honors on Monday, December 18, at 2:30 PM at
Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.
Visitation will take place prior to the burial at 11:00 AM
at Georgia Funeral Care, 4671 South Main Street, Acworth,
GA, 30101, followed by a service at 12:00 PM and then a
procession to the graveside.
C.S. Lewis wrote, "The pain I feel now is
part of the happiness I had before. That's the
deal."
As Rick's family and friends painfully grieve his loss, we
know it is because of all the happiness we have shared and
stories we have made with him over the years.
That's the deal.
Light Horse Memories
of Rick
Rick with Grandson Max and Bill Hanegmon
Rick & Ray Murphy
With Gunner Parker
Rick with Bruce Barney
Rick & Callison firing Callison's grease gun
R&R In Taipei
Some of Rick's "artwork"
An early reunion in Norcross, GA
All War Wagons
L to R standing: Bill King, Mike Hanno, George Schmitz, Rick,
Ralph "Rooster' Cogburn
Kneeling: Ray Burdette, Larry Little, Don Callison
(by Tom Egleston)
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