Henry "Hank" Rich

Henry (Hank) Ernest Rich was born (September 26, 1930) and raised in Brooklyn, New York, by his mother and sister. He enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. He trained in Louisiana to become a radio operator and was stationed in Puerto Rico and England. After completing four years in the Air Force, he returned to New York and enrolled in school on the G.I. Bill to become a mechanical engineer. On Oct. 25th, 1952, he married his best friend’s sister, Leona, and they were married for 64 years. He said they were soul mates, and he was right. In 1952 he bought his first car–a 1950 Dodge Wayfair convertible–for $795 (we know this because he saved everything). He didn’t have his driver’s license yet, so his brother in-law drove his new car home. In 1955 Hank and Leona quit their jobs, left New York, and traveled cross country to Denver, Colorado, in their convertible to start a new life. Leona’s mother had visited Denver once and advised them to move there. They found an apartment in Capital Hill. Leona started working for a law firm and Hank worked for Stearns-Roger and then for Martin Marietta, where he stayed until he retired on April 1, 1992. In 1956 they found a house in Thornton that cost a whopping $9,999.00. Their daughter Deb was born that year, and in 1958 their son Dave was born. In 1964 they moved to Southglenn, in Littleton, to raise their children. Hank was an avid bowler. In 1969 he won the 11th annual Martin Marietta Masters Bowling Tournament with an 839 series. In that series he bowled a 288. He and Leona enjoyed traveling together internationally and in the U.S. Their favorite trip was 25 days in Europe. After retirement they enjoyed spending the winter months walking the beach in Sarasota, Florida. His grandkids have fond memories of 4th of July in Grandpa’s backyard with slip and slide and many fireworks. When they spent the night they always had an ice cream sundae because grandpa loved ice cream. Hank is survived by his wife Leona; his children, Deb and Dave; 5 grandchildren (Amanda, Spencer, Joanna, Tyler, and Emily); 9 great grandchildren (Tyler, Madisen, Kyler, Peyton, Elinor, Harper, Lyndon, Penelope, and Gwendolyn). Hank was so proud to have a great family. He was loved and will be greatly missed. THE RICH FAMILY