Robert Garrison Ricks

life story

A loving husband, father, and grandfather

Always curious, always teaching

About Robert

Robert Garrison Ricks, 88, of St. Paul, Minnesota, died December 1, 2024 at Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul.

Robert was born May 26, 1936 to Kenneth Ross Ricks and Sarah Ruth Ricks (Garrison) in White Hall, Illinois. He graduated from White Hall High School (1955), graduated Eureka College (1959), majoring in religious studies, and then earned a Master of Divinity in 1963 from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.

Robert married his high school sweetheart, Sondra Sue Search, in their hometown of White Hall, Illinois, on August 20, 1961.Their romance lasted 45 wonderful years together. They had 2 children, Byron and Heidi.

Robert was a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for nearly 40 years, serving churches in Mount Sterling and Covington, Kentucky; Maplewood, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Roodhouse, Illinois. He was known as a storyteller who could share scripture and preach with humor, poignancy, and great depth. He stood up for social justice and civil rights within his community. In 1964, he and Sondra joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a demonstration march in Frankfurt, Kentucky.

In the early 1990s, Robert took an opportunity to pursue his passion for science and helped develop the education outreach program for the Science Center of Iowa. One of his fondest memories of this period was when he took on the role of a Space Shuttle payload specialist while attending space camp at NASA.

He was an avid rock collector and astronomy enthusiast who inspired children and adults with the wonders of this world and beyond. He preached and held his faith while dreaming of soaring in the stars or digging deep in the earth, understanding that one does not need to choose between science and faith.

He also enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture, and creating artful fountains. Throughout his life and even during his journey with dementia, Robert inspired others with his humor, a love for music, and ability to selflessly lend a listening ear or reach out to hold a hand.

Robert will be fondly remembered by his children and grandchildren. One granddaughter said he had a “poetic way of viewing the earth and the universe that inspired people to ask deep questions and connect with each other.” Another explained that he was “always curious, always teaching, because he knew that discoveries and knowledge were best shared.” Another spoke of how he encouraged her to follow her passion for dance and kept telling her how he believed in her. They reflected that he was “a man of science, faith, advocacy, and family.”

Robert is survived by his son, Byron, and daughter-in-law, Maren, of Seattle, Washington; daughter, Heidi, of St. Paul, Minnesota; and grandchildren Lydia, Piper, and Julia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sondra Sue Ricks (Search); brother Kenneth Ross Ricks, Jr.; father, Kenneth Ross Ricks; and mother, Sarah Ruth Ricks (Garrison).

Memorial donations may be made to FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging (familymeans.org), Stillwater, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held in White Hall, Illinois, in the spring of 2025.