Richard “Rick” Lopez

SELMA - Richard (Rick)Lopez died April 3, 2024, at Albany Health and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.

He was born May 22, 1943 to Jesse and Mamie Lopez in Indianapolis. He graduated from Chrysler High School in New Castle and Ball State University with a degree in Public Health. He was a registered sanitarian with the Delaware County Health Department for many years, and he was past president of the Indiana Association of Sanitarians. He was employed later by Marsh Supermarkets as a corporate director. He represented Marsh on the Gleaners Food Bank of Indianapolis.

He worked for the State Department of Commerce under Governors’ Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon. From there he went on to work for the Randolph County Community and Economic Development Foundations. He also worked briefly for Vigil Corp in Indianapolis.

He served fourteen years and eight months at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office where he was a Reserve Officer/Training Officer.

He enjoyed golf, hunting, and fishing throughout his life. He bred German Shorthaired Pointers and was a hunting guide for over forty years. He was a member of The Indiana German Shorthair Pointers Club, having raised an

Shorthaired Indiana “Dog of the Year”. He was a member of Indiana Pheasants Forever (past Indiana president) and Quail and Ducks Unlimited. He was a member of Monroe Township Conservation Club for seventy Years. He hunted and fished in Canada, Alaska, Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean. Rick was also a devoted Eagle Scout for several years.

In 1993, he was appointed to the Health Specialists Board by Governor Evan Bayh and was named a Distinguished Hoosier by Governor Frank O’Bannon in 1999. He traveled with First Lady Judy O’Bannon on a People-to-People Tour of South Africa.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Sue Lopez, a daughter, Karen Lopez, of Toronto, Canada, a son Kenneth (Angie) Lopez, of Selma, a granddaughter, Ashley Lopez of Columbus, Ohio, a grandson Seth (Cheyanne) Lopez, of Muncie and a Great Grandson Oliver Lopez. He is also survived by a sister, -Debbie (Marty) Hurst, and brothers Mark Lopez and Merrill Smith.

Calling hours for Rick will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Garden View Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jim Ballenger officiating. The burial will take place after the funeral service at Gardens of Memory Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Monroe Township Conservation Club in honor of Rick.