Richard (Rick) Arlen Letz passed into God’s loving arms on November 14, 2024 at his home. He was born September 25, 1946 in Salem, Oregon.
As a devoted husband of 50 years, Rick was known for his unwavering love, fostering a deep bond with his wife Bonnie.
Rick grew up in Salem until he moved to Bend, Oregon during elementary school and graduated from Bend High School. Rick was named after a famous Canadian pilot Richard Arlen who served as a pilot in WW1, and true to his name, Rick developed a passion for flying, dedicating himself to mastering the intricacies of flight acquiring his pilot’s license.
In addition to his aviation pursuits, Rick enjoyed riding his motorcycle and employed his analytical skills as an IT administrator for the City of Phoenix for many years ensuring that their systems ran smoothly.
Rick was a faithful member of the Saguaro Baptist Church, being of service to the church for any and all projects. He quietly embraced his personal Acts of Kindness project with many generous financial contributions to those in need. After he became a Christian, his faith served as a guiding light throughout his life. His beliefs shaped his character and influenced his relationships. He also loved singing in the choir and performed many duets with his wife.
Rick had a very creative side and in his younger years had a small business making and selling candles under the name Crown Candles. He also loved his Shop Smith and made numerous items which he mostly gave away to friends and family. He was also instrumental in designing and building his house which he was very proud of.
Rick had strong convictions and you always knew where he stood on issues in his life. He was also a generous, loving, and compassionate soul. During his retirement years, he devoted his time to helping widows in the church with small handyman projects and computer support. He made numerous trips from Arizona to Oregon to help his mother with projects around her house and was very diligent in calling her every Saturday to check in on her.
Rick is survived by his mother, Mary Letz of McMinnville, Oregon; brothers Jerry (Sussi) Letz of Portales, New Mexico, and Lonnie (Debbie) Letz of Berkley, West Virginia; daughter Julie Booth of Birmingham, Michigan; and two grandchildren, Kyle and Katie.
Rick is preceded in death by his father, Roy Letz, and his loving wife, Bonnie.
Memorial Service on February 8, 2025 at Saguaro Baptist Church, 1402 N. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85205. The memorial service will begin at 11am, followed by lunch.
Donations in memory of Rick may be made to Sunshine Acres Children’s Home or by planting a tree through Legacy.com.