Ricky J. Bishop, age 53, of Isanti died peacefully at home January 4, 2018. In keeping with Rick’s wishes, memorial services will be private (and in better weather).
Ricky John Bishop was born on March 21, 1964 in La Crosse, WI to William Stanley and Esther Ruth (Severson) Bishop. Rick grew up in Ettrick, WI, and graduated from G-E-T High School in 1982. He attended Rochester Community College, and later transferred to the University of MN. Rick fell in love with Minneapolis and explored every area of the city, often on his bicycle. He frequented the coffee shops and local hangouts where he would strike up conversations with anyone about anything.
Rick held many jobs including direct care worker, medical transport driver, clerk, taxi driver, greenskeeper, paint mixer at Savitt Brothers, tower rigger at Midwest Tower Erection, and most recently, as transportation coordinator at Merwin Long Term Care Pharmacy. He was most proud to have worked three seasons as an antenna rigger in Antarctica. Rick was always up for a good adventure and in addition to Antarctica, he journeyed to Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, as well as travelled extensively through the Americas.
Rick was passionate about so much in life: camping, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, sharing his wit and unique sense of humor, music, film, baseball, golf, travel, his backyard, the Annual Fall Classic (a backyard badminton tournament he established several years ago), and most of all his family, immediate and extended, blood or not.
Rick died peacefully at home surrounded by his family in Isanti on January 4, 2018 after a year and a half battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and Sheldon.
Rick is survived by his wife and partner, Jodi Oslund, and their two children, William and Isabelle; siblings, Beverly Paulson of Ettrick, Gary (Marilyn) Bishop of Ettrick, Judy (Tom) Scherr of Trempealeau, Dean (Marilee) Bishop of Ettrick, Linda Phillips of Trempealeau, Lorraine (Eliot) Solsrud of Whitehall, Sharon Bishop of Ettrick, Cindy (Neil) Moe of Arcadia, Rhonda (Brian) Luebke of Trempealeau; in-laws, Mike and Jackie Oslund, Michael Oslund, Erin (Mike) Yerigan, and many other relatives and friends.
I graduated from G-E-T High School with Ricky. Unfortunately we never kept in touch, but I have very fond memories of his wit and humor. Never a dull moment when he was around. He made us smile, he made us laugh, and kept everyone on their toes. He certainly will be missed. Praying for his soul and for his family. May God give you peace and comfort knowing he is now in the loving arms of our Lord.
I have such fond memories of Ricky, going to high school with him. He always had a smile on his face, and such a great attitude about everything. A fun person to be around. I’m sorry I didn’t know him as an adult later, since I moved away, because his life sounds absolutely fantastic in all that he was able to see and do. My sincere condolences to Ricky’s family for their physical loss of having him in their everyday lives. His spirit was strong though, and I know he will be so lovingly remembered by anyone that knew him, and in his children will carry on that wonderful spirit. Rest in peace Ricky.
Ricky was a traveler, an adventurer and so very brave going out on his own to see and experience life. A career student, gentle, kind and funny, quiet and thoughtful, outgoing and hilarious…a surprise. Rest in Peace Uncle Ricky! I pray for God’s comfort and peace for family and friends during this sad time of loss and always!
Jon and Penny
Rick Bishop. What can you say. He was a character through and through. Met him in the dorms freshman year and have been friends ever since. Man did we have a lot of fun in college. Rick loved his sports and music.
Of all my Minneapolis friends Rick was the one I always stayed in touch with. He was an adventurer like me. We had a lot of common qualities. The one thing I could count on was Rick always being around and being a great friend.
I am glad that I had a chance to hang out with Rick over the last 2 years. I was fortunate enough to travel back to Minneapolis for work and every time I was back Rick and I would get together and go see a show.
He would always keep me up with the latest cool bands. We saw Soul Asylum (Rick knows they are my favorite), Low Cut Connie, Bob Mould, Charles Bradley(who also just died of cancer) and lastly we saw J Roddy Walston together. This was the last time that I saw Rick. We left each other with a hug and a smile.
I will definitely miss you my friend. I will try to live my life to the fullest!!
Your friend
Scott (RICO) Chrisan