Rickie Gene “Rick” Chambers, age 77, of Hayward, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Hayward Area Memorial Hospital.

He was born on August 17, 1945, in Decatur, IL, the son of Merle and Marjorie (Wilkins) Chambers.

He was united in marriage to Diane Bashor on October 29, 1977, in Hayward, WI.

Born in Decatur, Rick was raised in East Moline and graduated from East Moline High School. He proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps. He moved to Hayward, WI, in 1972 where he became the shop foreman at B & W Chevrolet. He served in law enforcement for 34 years, first as a reserve officer in East Moline, then a police officer for the City of Hayward, and later an officer for the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department. Rick also became the first DARE Officer for Sawyer County. He retired in 2003 as the Chief Deputy of the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department. He loved being a police officer and the camaraderie shared between fellow officers. He took great pride in his involvement with the community and the relationships made through the years. Even after retirement he helped the department as a mechanic, maintaining and striping the squad cars.

Rick enjoyed riding motorcycles, especially long cross-country road trips, many taken with his son. He was good with his hands and restored and reupholstered several vintage motorcycles and automobiles. He could fix almost anything. He was an excellent marksman and enjoyed days shooting at the range. Most of all, Rick was a devoted family man and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a kind, funny and generous man who was always ready to help and was quick with a joke.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Diane Chambers of Hayward, WI; his children, Brenda (Todd) Miller of La Vernia, TX, Erik (Tanisha) Chambers of Hayward, WI, and Amy (Jerry) Vasquez of Hayward, WI; his grandchildren, Brandon (Casey), Travis, Cameron, Ariah, Johnathan, Gerard, Madelyn and Alicia; his great-grandchildren, Jordan and Kylie; his sister, Patricia Rumberg of Rock Island, IL; his brothers, Dennis Erickson, Terry Schemenauer, Mark Kelsey, Gary Quarderer, and Bill Morrow, his niece and nephews, David, Michael, Daniel, Kevin, Bradley, and Lauren; and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his beloved stepfather, Michel VanAcker, his brother-in-law, Robert Rumberg, and his brother- in Law Enforcement, Craig Faulstich.

A celebration of life gathering is going to be held from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Hayward Funeral Home, 15571 W County Highway B, in Hayward.

Last Update: Nov 06, 2022 12:29 pm CST