Jack W. Rickman

October 22, 1941 - November 26, 2017

Jack W. Rickman, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at The Village at Legacy Pointe in Waukee after two years of ill health. On Friday, December 1, 2017 a visitation with the family will be from 1 – 2 p .m. followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. at McLaren's Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines with burial to follow at Resthaven Cemetery. 

Jack was born October 22, 1941 to Jess & Clara (Stifel) Rickman in West Des Moines. He graduated from Valley High School in 1960. Upon graduating, he worked at Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel for five and a half years and was a volunteer firefighter in West Des Moines. In 1963 he joined the Iowa Army National Guard and served 31 years before retiring as a CW4 in 1994. During that time he was an MP for six years, spent 22 years as a helicopter pilot in HQ STARC and for a few years as a MediVac pilot. On May 17, 1964, he married the love of his life, Violet Meyers. To this union, two children were born. He joined the Des Moines Police Department in 1966 and retired after 30 years. During that time, for several years was a member of the Bomb Squad, as well as, Crime Prevention. After retirement, he worked part time as a security guard at the Federal Building and was a shuttle bus driver for Stew Hansen's Dodge. 

Jack was a member of Iowa Peace Officers Association, Iowa State Police Association, American Legion Post 663, and the Iowa Firefighter's Association. Family was very important to him and he very much enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. 

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Violet; loving children, Kevin (Sonia) Rickman of Brownville, NY, and Kimberly (John) Walby of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Camden & Riley Rickman, Alaina & Ashlyn Walby; brother-in-law, Richard Meyers of Coon Rapids, IA; sister-in-law Jean Borkowski of Manning, IA; cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Carl and Irene Meyers. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Des Moines Police Burial Association or V.A. Central Iowa.