July 19, 1950 – February 24, 2022
Rickey L. Ohlbrecht passed away February 24, 2022, in Colorado Springs at the age of 71. Rick was born in Sidney, NE to Olin and Darlene Ohlbrecht. He met (Elizabeth) Elaine Old from Farmington, NM in San Diego, CA, where he was stationed at the 32nd Street Naval Station ID Lab. They were married January 7, 1972, at Pacific Beach, CA and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month. He was then deployed aboard the USS Midway CVA-41 as an EN3, where he served in Indochina during the Vietnam war.
After an honorable discharge, Rick and Elaine moved to Farmington, NM where he worked as a Field Service Manager for Dowell/Schlumberger for 12 years. They moved the family, who included three sons, Tyler, Reed and Brody to Colorado Springs, CO in 1986. Rick finished his work career as a Journeyman Power Plant Mechanic for the Colorado Springs Utilities at Ray Nixon Power Plant and retired after over 20 years where he was respected and appreciated by all his close friends who worked with him, who always called him RickO.
Rick is survived by Elaine, sons Tyler and Brody Ohlbrecht and was preceded in death by son Reed Ohlbrecht, brother Randy Ohlbrecht, mother Darlene Ohlbrecht and father Olin Ohlbrecht. He leaves behind granddaughters Reagan and Paige Ohlbrecht, Harlie Tucker and grandson Cillian McFarland and brother Tim Ohlbrecht. He was an amazing father to his three sons and an unbelievable grandfather to his grandkids.
He also leaves behind countless relatives who knew him as being consistent, caring and loving to all the satellite relatives who he inherited that Elaine brought to the marriage. He also brought to the marriage his own incredible family who immigrated to NE at the turn of the century who homesteaded and raised wheat in the Wyerts, NE community.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Springs Rescue Mission, 5 W. Las Vegas St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. The Rescue Mission was important to Rick because he believed in helping others in their time of need.
Rick’s Celebration of Life will be held at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 2 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
He was proud of his service in the US Navy aboard the Midway and was proud to be a United States Military Veteran. Sail on, Sailor, sail on. Until we meet again.
Chuck Reid
4 Mar 2022Rick was always positive and a great guy to work with. He was always there to teach me all that needed to be done as a power plant mechanic. A great Journeymen, friend, and coworker.
I enjoyed sharing Navy stories with him and the difference with in our careers as sailors.
He will be missed by many. “Haze grey and underway” my shipmate and friend.
Rodney Brown
6 Mar 2022Hard working and a great mentor. I enjoyed working with Ricko. He kept you laughing. Will miss his smiling face and kind disposition. A true friend. You will be missed my friend. Rest in peace.
Danny Barnes
12 Mar 2022With a heavy heart I say “following winds and full sails” to a fellow sailor and friend. RickO will always be remembered by me as a reliable and sincere person. Rick had fun at work and made it easy to get thru the work day! I especially remember being outnumbered at work by two very enthusiastic “Huskers” RickO was the big one! Being a Colorado native and a Buff fan I ate a lot of humble pie, Rick would just smile after many victories in the “Big” game and let me know how pathetic my team was! I’m proud to have known Rick and his family. As a fellow veteran I will toast him with a shot of Crown from a bottle Dave Przybylski gave me on my 50th birthday 22 year’s ago, I’ve shared it with heart felt remembrance with friends and an honorable salute the warriors who served. God’s speed old friend.