Richard J. Ebbesmier

EBBESMIER, Richard J. “Dick,” “Ency, Jun 26, 1935 – Aug 14, 2010, of Omaha. Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. Survived by wife of 55 years, Ricky; two children (one son and one daughter) and their families: Tom and Linda Ebbesmier and children Gail Ebbesmier and Nicole Ebbesmier and great-grandchildren Brennan and Giana Ebbesmier, April and Jim Baldwin and children Justine, Autumn, Summer and Blaize Baldwin; brothers: Father John and William; sisters: Mary, Susie and Judy; numerous friends around the country and in Canada. At age 15, Dick became involved in the fire sprinkler business working in Burlington for Mid State Fire Sprinklers. At age 16, one of Dick’s favorite pastimes became late night auto races with his friends on the tight turns and bends of Burlington’s Snake Alley, literally known as “The Crookedest Street in the World.” While traveling the United States fireproofing homes and businesses Richard met his wife Fredrica “Ricky” working as a waitress at her mother’s diner in Lapeer, Michigan. Dick and Ricky eventually moved to Iowa, where Dick and a good friend, John McVey and his brother Bill McVey, made a partnership to start their own fire sprinkler company in Omaha. With only ten employees at its founding, Continental Fire Sprinkler grew to more than 350 employees with offices in six states. Because of their love of the water and water skiing, the Ebbesmiers purchased a house on Lake Manawa. The first of their skiing endeavors involved show skiing in the Manawa ski club. With a few other couples, they made pyramids and created other amazing tricks while skiing in performances all around the U.S. Their love of boating and skiing continued, and Richard went on to ski competitively in tricks and slalom. Dick won several Iowa state championships in his mid twenties. The Ebbesmier children, Tom and April grew up skiing. Dick and Ricky coached their children to compete for several national titles. The family opened Ebbesmier Ski School on Lake Hamburg Iowa, where talented skiers from around the world participated under the tutelage of Dick and Tom. Dick and Ricky often participated in ballroom dancing and enjoyed playing tennis. With a beginning in life filled with hardships, this modest man worked hard to overcome life’s obstacles and became a success in many areas. Everyone he met along the way looked upon him with respect, and his family and friends loved him deeply. Richard has inspired many people with his perseverance and love of life. MEMORIAL SERVICE Thursday, 2pm, West Center Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Humane Society.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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