Ricki (Rick) Joseph Kintzle, 71, left his earthly life from Aurora Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday, December 13, 2024. Rick was born in Davenport, Iowa, on March 31, 1953, and was the third of seven children born to George and Maria Kintzle.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers – David Kintzle, Robin Kintzle, and Mark Kintzle. Rick is survived by his three children – Andrea Lunde, Sean Kintzle, and Lorna Kintzle; his two grandchildren – Nova Lunde (9) and Teller Lunde (7); and his three sisters Susan Kintzle, Joy Beldt, and Rebecca Hoffarth, all of Colorado. Rick is also survived by a large and loving extended family, as well as many faithful, life-long friends.

Rick graduated from Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colorado. He lived much of his life in Littleton, Colorado, where he raised his three children and earned a living. Rick spent the entirety of his professional career employed as an auto mechanic and was very good with machinery. While he learned to work on all types of vehicles in his later years, Rick began his career with an affinity for the Chevrolet brand, and more specifically Corvettes. Rick also owned several motorcycles throughout his life.

In his younger years, Rick was always an active individual, participating in a multitude of sports such as softball, racquetball, bowling, water skiing, scuba diving, and weightlifting. He was also an amateur botanist with a lush and thriving backyard garden, patiently tending to any fruit or vegetable he could coax life out of in the clay-like soil of Littleton, Colorado. On warm summer evenings, Rick could often be found lazily hand watering the lawn around his beautiful home, enjoying the fresh air and a slower pace away from the garage.

Rick always had a genuine love for camping and lake life. His happiest days were spent soaking up the sun in swim shorts and flip-flop “thong” sandals, enjoying a cold beverage on the beach. He owned a boat and often adventured out of state for “good water” at Lake Powell and Glendo Reservoir, Wyoming. He enjoyed slalom water skiing in his youth and later patiently towed his children behind his boat while they did all manner of water sports.

In retirement, Rick fulfilled his dream by selling his home and becoming a “Snow Bird.” He purchased a motorhome and spent the cold Colorado winters traveling independently to RV parks throughout New Mexico and Arizona. While Rick loved experiencing new people, food, and environments, Rick always returned safely home from his travels to spend the summer months with his children and grandchildren in Colorado.

Rick will be laid to rest with his beloved brother David in the gorgeous Highline Gardens of Fairmont Cemetery in Aurora, Colorado. While Rick’s children have decided to forgo formal services on Rick’s behalf, a Celebration of Life will be planned for early summer 2025.