Richard Dale “Rick” Wagner
February 20, 1953 - October 3, 2023
Richard Dale “Rick” Wagner, age 70, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Born in Kingston, PA on February 20, 1953, he was a son of the late Percy and Charlotte “Meryl” (Kocher) Wagner. Rick was the 7th of 14 siblings, who lovingly called him “Ricky”. He was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College in 1975 with a major in Physics and minor in Fine Arts. Rick worked as a Mechanical Engineer, including owning and operating an engineering and architecture firm for 15 years.
Rick had a deep appreciation of physics, electricity, and quantum mechanics, he relished any opportunity to teach anyone who would listen. His favorite band was The Beatles and he could often be found listening to them. Rick enjoyed spending his free time fishing, he spent countless hours on Lake George in upstate New York, waiting for his next catch. One of Rick’s greatest passions was coaching his daughters and granddaughter in softball.
In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his siblings, Beverly, Robert, and Keith. He is survived by his wife, April (Wlasuk) Wagner; daughters, Devon Wagner Ferguson (Josh) and Sarah Kathryn Wagner (Marcus Casares); granddaughters, Charlotte Agnes Ferguson (10 years-old), Alexandria Joy Casares (3 months-old), and Elysia Rosa Casares (11 years-old); siblings, Charlotte “Elaine”, Bonnie, Gerald, Glenda, Timothy, Lynn, Michelle, Donald, Cheryl, and Kevin; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 pm until 2 pm on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be held privately.
Will Holmes
Dear Rick,
Hold my chair my friend, I will see you soon and we will continue our laughter fest! To the family, he was hands down the best!
Will Holmes
Amanda Batman
Good Bye Uncle Rick. We love you all. I’m so so sorry we can’t be there with you. You are in our hearts. We love you all 210!❤️
Kristen Prevost
Rick you were the most loving, and caring Always giving the best advice and words of wisdom. I can still hear you making fun of my laugh.. Never a dull moment with you always so full of life. We love and miss you. I’ll be checking on April for you..
Love,
Kristen,Dylan,Liam and Abel
Glenda Wagner Akers
Rick, my little brother how I will miss you. I remember fondly the times you came to visit John and I in Texas while you worked here. Hadn’t seen you in decades prior to that and it was great getting to see you almost every month. We didn’t do much, except sit around, talk about engineering and physics (well, you did, John and I listened and politely shook our head in agreement). RIP my brother, I will miss you so much. Love you.
Tehya Prevost
Rick, Thank you for being a big part of my childhood and always making Malia and I laugh. Everyone loved you and always had nice things to say about you. I hope you watch over us all and see how far we grow. Everyone will keep pushing forward for you and will make you proud. See you soon❤️🕊️
lynn wagner
i shall miss you dearly my brother
Evelyn Hodges
April, My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Michelle DePaul
Rick, my heart will never stop aching for you suddenly being taken from us. Not a second goes by that I don’t feel the heartache, but at the same time, the love you gave to all of us will be the strength we will need to sustain us until we meet again. Love you. RIP dear brother.
Linda Barton
Cheryl,
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Linda and Stephen Barton
Joe Jankowski
I’m so sorry April, get it touch with me if there is anything I can do, or just to talk. Again, thinking of you and your family! 😔
Sherry Brennan Sudol
April I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers are w you and your family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Cheryl Land
Go rest now, my dear brother. As time passes, we will celebrate the many years of love, laughter, and learning so central to the memories we shared. You will forever be loved and never forgotten. I love you, Ricky.
timothy wagner
Gone but not forgotten, little Brother! we always had great times when together with you and your immediate family! Love you and them and may you rest in peace with God our creator and Savior! till we meet again, soon hopefully and with prayer, all the love from old man Tim and my immediate family!
Jennifer Fornal
Mr. Wagner was smart, kind, funny & a great Dad & husband. You will be missed!
Vicky Lee
You are in my prayers april and the family. I will always remember our talk at the fire up in lake George. 💜
Anthony Rasole
Goes without saying how deeply saddened we are by the news of Ricks passing. A wonderful human being and true gentleman that I’m honored to have had the chance to get to know. Grateful for all the many wonderful conversations, always looked forward to seeing Rick during our trips to Lake George(that is if he wasn’t in Texas, Puerto Rico or on the couch watching sports) Im really going to miss Ricks snarky humor!! Thank you for being a great person and making us always feel like family.
Our hearts and sympathies are with April and the family.
Love,
Anthony, Kristen and Alexandria
David Bitter
Having recently spent 18 months in a FEMA conference room in close quarters with Rick and Reggie, Rick’s passing is a bitter-sweet reminder of the good things we shared…there are never enough words…but his professionalism, depth of knowledge, good character, love of life (especially fine food) and corny jokes will all be fondly remembered.
May he rest in peace…until we meet again…but hopefully not to soon.
Sincerely…a friend,
David
Reggie Clay
My condolences, thoughts and prayers for Rick’s family, April and the girls, and friends. I met Rick in 2018 and worked directly with him in 2021 and we became friends instantly, talked and debated daily, challenged each other and respected each other. Rick was one of the smartest guys I ever met in the engineering field and had a wealth of experience on complex projects around the nation. I was saddened to hear of his health challenges and didn’t expect to be writing this message of his transition. I hope we all can find comfort in the memories we shared with him. Go in peace my brother, love you man! Reggie