Richard Earnest Gempler

Richard Earnest Gempler, better known to the world as RICKO, passed away at age 71 on December 20, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with Cancer. Ricko led what, everyone who knew him would agree, a very interesting life. His talents ranged far and wide- from creating art of all kinds, renovating and driving exotic cars, to gardening, astronomy, cribbage and jewelry-making, he had a zest for life that was unique. Ricko was born on August 7, 1951 in Billings, Montana to Richard and Pauline Gempler. As a baby, the family moved to Hillsboro, Oregon then later to Santa Cruz, California where he graduated high school and attended Cabrillo College. While working as an artist and real estate agent in Santa Cruz, Ricko discovered his true ‘happy place’ in Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta, where he permanently moved in 1987. Ricko worked closely with John Harris at the Real Estate Center for many years as an agent until he started his own brokerage firm in Dunsmuir. Ricko loved the mountains of Siskiyou County and their amazing change of seasons, as well as the fishing and the lakes. He loved the people of this beautiful area even more. Anyone that ever-met Ricko remembers him, as he was the type of person who would always leave you laughing, or at the very least scratching your head! He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Robert Gempler. He is survived by his sister Jacki Farris (Ken) of Springfield Oregon, his son Jeff Gempler (Sheri) and 3 grandchildren: Kylie, Cassidy and Taylor of Hawaii, as well as several nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life for Ricko this Spring, when the weather is nice and warm. The exact date will be announced. Ricko requested that donations in his name can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.