Richard Norman Whiteley (better known as Rick) passed away on August 16, 2021, after a heroic fight against a lengthy illness. Rick was always a cheeky, cheerful person to the end. He is survived by his loving wife Sharon and two younger brothers, Robert and Ronald.
Rick was born on July 3, 1946, in Flin Flon, Manitoba to Harry and Jean Whiteley. Rick attended SAIT college in Calgary studying electronics. In later years he acquired a business administration degree specializing in purchasing and production management. Rick was always keen on flying and as a young cadet he won a scholarship with the RCAF. Due to an accident which left him with a damaged left hip he couldn’t join the RCAF proper but still flew Search and Rescue in the North with the Reserves. In 1969 he met Sharon and since he was desperate for a navigator to rally with, he asked her if she would be interested. “You bet” said she since she had already car rallied herself and loved the sport. They were a very successful team and ended up in the top 10 by the end of their first year. It was a big disappointment when Ford had offered to sponsor them for the last Cross Canada Rally and the factory car they were to have was held up for three months due to a strike in Britain. However, since they worked so well together, they decided perhaps they should get married instead. The marriage took place in Calgary on a lovely sunny day on October 2, 1970. Rick and Sharon had an adventurous life together with auto-cross, ice racing, white water canoeing, lake canoeing, travelling to Britain and then settling in small town Crossfield, Alberta where they lived for 13 years with their Great Danes. With the financial crash of 1982 things changed radically. They decided that they would move to Vancouver Island. That goal was finally realized in 1986. While in Parksville they took up sailing. Rick eventually became Commander of the Nanoose Power Squadron. Work forced another move to Cumberland where they both finally felt at home. More volunteer activities included 10 years with Citizens on Patrol followed by membership in Emergency Communications. Rick will be very sadly missed. He lived a fun and productive life.