Submitted by his wife

Rick Wilbur was the heart of his family‚ his friends‚ his community and his fire department. He will live on in our hearts and memories.

Rick died March 28th‚ 2004‚ while on a fire call. Rick was a founding member of the Eaton Rapids Township Fire Department starting January 1st‚ 1988. He served first as a Lieutenant‚ Deputy Chief‚ then becoming Chief on January 1st‚ 2000. Rick started his volunteer fire career with the Eaton Rapids City Fire Department before 1988. First joining the Eaton Rapids Area Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician. After a few years they asked him to become a fireman.

Rick was an instructor for the American Red Cross in CPR and First Aid. He never charged for teaching anyone. He felt if someone saved a life by his teaching that was payment enough. There was and still are lives being saved because of him. Rick was a State Certified FFI & II instructor for the state of Michigan.

Rick also was a photographer. He saw the beauty in everything and this showed in his pictures. Rick loved just to get away and go camping or just to get out and get back to the basics of the simple life.

Rick was a prankster and a joker. He always had a joke & a smile for everyone. There was always joking around about his Ford trucks. It was commonly known as his girlfriend because of all the time he spent with it.

Rick was a devoted family man himself. He was really just starting to enjoy being a grandpa. Rick was a very special caring friend to many.

Rick is survived by his wife Linda (of 21 years of marriage)‚ his three children: Thomas (Peggy)‚ Robert (Becky) and Saunci (Rodger) Steele and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his family and extended family‚ his dearest friends in the world Roger and Linda McNutt. He will be greatly missed by many in the fire service.