Rick (Ricky) W. Henderson, 72, passed away peacefully at home in Aurora, Indiana, on July 24, 2024, with his loving wife of 48 years by his side following a 20-month battle with cancer. He was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, and raised in Raccoon Township, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Summer Henderson in 2018; a really great big brother, Larry Henderson; and his parents, William and Edith Henderson.
Rick, a funny sweet and loving family man, is survived by his wife, Lori (Thompson) Henderson; a daughter Jessica (Henderson) McCallister, Cincinnati, Ohio; four grandchildren, Corey Henderson, Havelock, North Carolina; Alyssa (Osborne) Russell, Cincinnati, Ohio; Bethany (Henderson) Kagy, Aurora, Indiana; and Devin McCallister, Robinson Township, Pennsylvania; six great-grandchildren, Claira Jo and Katerie Henderson, Ava Osborne and Baelfyre, Anaerys and Amaerita Russell. He is also survived by a sister, Donna Pfeiffer, Monaca Pennsylvania, and in-laws Carol (Henderson) Silver, Linda and Frank Pettit, Susan Thompson, and Janice and Greg Evans. He is also survived by five nieces, a nephew and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Rick was a 1970 graduate of Hopewell High School, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and the National Academy of Law Enforcement (1971), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He married his wife, Lori, in 1975 and the following year they bought their first home in Georgetown, Pennsylvania, where he served on city council for seven years and was a Beaver County Republican committeeman for four years, though later in life his view of the world became much more liberal.
He was co-owner of Rick’s Restaurant in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, then went to work for C & K Industrial Services, later accepting a promotion to account manager, moving to Cincinnati to open the field office there. Later going to UPS, he retired in 2013. In 1995 he and his wife designed and built a home in Aurora, Indiana, where he lived until his death.
A celebration of life will take place in August. At Rick’s request, his and his daughter Summer’s ashes will be interred together at the point at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and the National Seashore on Assateague Island where he and his family spent so many happy days together.
Memorial Donations can be made to The Clearinghouse food pantry in Aurora, Indiana, or Habitat for Humanity.
He will be sorely missed by family and friends.
A special thank you to neighbors and friends, John and Cindy Hutchinson and Steve Ostendorf, who were so kind and helpful during Rick’s illness.