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The Persistent but illusory Frederick (Rick) J. Ide has expired, ceased, you know - “he died.” ~ Frederick J. Ide

Rick was born in East Lansing on March 7, 1944. He died at Silver Lake Serenity Home in Traverse City on the first full day of Spring, March 21, 2023 with his daughter Michelle holding his hand. He was 79.

In 1957 Rick and his parents moved to a farmhouse on M-22 and attended Traverse City Central. He participated in the annual talent shows, showcasing his musical talent of singing and playing the guitar. He graduated with honors in 1964, and later that fall enrolled in the U.S. Army into a very elite group of the military- The Army Security Agency. Rick had to be in the top 10% to join that branch, in which he specialized in Cryptology. Rick was stationed in Korea and California, and was honorably discharged after serving 4 years. Rick was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal. Rick wore his ASA hat and pin proudly up until his death. Thank you for your service Dad.

Rick met Linda Shimel and Michelle in 1969. They married in July 1970 at the First Congregational Church on Center Rd. in Traverse City. He took a job in manufacturing at Twin Bay Industries in Elk Rapids and lived there until 1978. From there they moved to Williamsburg, into his parents house where Rick utilized his green thumb and continued nurturing his father’s vegetable garden, which he continued for many years. Rick ended his career at Grand Traverse Machine in Traverse City in 2003. In his retirement years he worked at Highpoint Golf club where he made many friends and played a mean game of golf. He golfed weekly with a few of the residents from Millbrook Estates where he moved with Linda in 2000.

Rick had a love for all animals. He had many, many cats throughout his life. So many that he started a family tree of all the cats he owned. He rescued raccoons, ducks, fed the birds, swans, squirrels, deer, and loved walking with the neighbors and their dogs at Millbrook Estates.

Rick loved philosophy and a good debate, physics, cryptology and poetry too. Rick had written about himself, saying that he was never short of “a point of view.” He didn’t want a service or flowers and certainly no regrets, he said he was sorry for smoking so many cigarettes. Rick left behind many poems that he has written over the years. A true treasure for me. He was a great fisherman, learning to fly fish and tying his own flies. Rick was also a talented musician, playing in a band with his friends in the 70’s called the Jaguars. He played the 6 string and 12 string guitars, the slide guitar as well as the banjo and keyboards. I think he dreamed of being one of the boys, to Waylon and Willie.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents Gearld W. and Margaret L. Ide, his 9 year old brother Pierson in 1940, his mother-in-law Virginia M. Shimel in 1992 and his father-in-law John H. Shimel in 2020. He lost his wife of 42 years Linda L. Ide, who died in 2012.

Things were never the same after Mom died. It was a lonesome and long road for Rick and the cruelty of Vascular Dementia robbed him of many memories.

Rick is survived by his daughter Michelle and her life partner Larry Redli of Traverse City. A step daughter and her husband, Susan and Brian Henderson of Houghton MI as well as his grandchildren Samantha and Daniel Henderson. Also surviving are Linda’s brother, Rick Shimel of Traverse City, who adopted dad’s last cat Bob.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to Dad’s very good friends David and Jean Drayton of Battle Creek who called Dad weekly, sent cards for every occasion, sent gifts and came to visit Dad these past few years. Your love and acts of kindness were what helped Dad through some of his darkest days. He told me frequently how much you both meant to him. Thank you. I appreciate everything you did for Dad and me. I would also like to thank the staff of Promedica Hospice, his nurses Kitty and Cindy, his caregiver Kathy, with whom he shared an instant connection. Your care and love you showed both dad and I will forever be cherished. The staff at Bay Ridge Independent Living were phenomenal in helping me navigate his world in moving to Traverse City, and finally to Susan and her staff at Silver Lake Serenity for your patience,love and care that you gave Dad in his final month.

Dad chose not to have a memorial service, but I’m sure he’d appreciate you raising a glass of bourbon or beer in his memory. Dad did wish that any memorials be given to the animal shelter of your choice. Rest easy Dad, you are finally at peace.

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What it is -By Frederick J. Ide

We are here only for a little while,--and then we are not!

And it all happens without a single thought-

A body with a mind inside

Five senses very diversified

But is it all for naught?

It’s difficult to say much about this riddle

How can we decide while knowing so very little?

And from what point of view,

does it all seem right to you?

You know the Ministers will quibble Perhaps we shall never know---an existence undefined

As in “Ignorance is bliss”—for the good of all mankind

Just live each day-

In a harmonious way

And leave yesterday behind.