Edward H Rickels

Edward H Rickels, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, SC died on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. He was born on Monday, April 25, 1927 in Albany, NY to the late Mrs. Margaret Schaefer and the late Mr. Edward H. Rickels Sr. Edward attended public school #16 and the Milne High School before attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree at the New York College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1950. Today, the school is known as the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Between high school and college, he served in the U.S. Navy in 1945-46 at the end of World War II. His work experience was varied, developing skills in many fields of endeavor. Following college he became a Vice President of one of the largest tree and landscape companies in New England Operating out of Dedham, Massachusetts. He was involved in some of the biggest land development projects of the time, including the building of Strategic Air Command Bases in Maine and New Hampshire. Later, he joined a colleague, becoming a part owner of a Landscape and Garden Center in Hingham, Massachusetts. In 1964, he went to work for The National Park Service in Washington, D.C. Several years later, he transferred to The National Capital Planning Commission where he worked until his retirement from The Federal Government in 1983. In 1984, he went back to the true meaning and love of his life, dealing with nature and the world of trees and plants. He developed and managed a garden center for a local Farmers Cooperative in Warrenton, Virginia until his final retirement in 1996. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley C. Rickels, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two daughters, Cynthia L. Rickels, of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Christyne E Pride (Robert), of Nevis Island; one son, Dana E. Rickels, of Charleston, SC; Four Grandchildren, Katherine Rickels, Edward H Rickels III, Brittany Strickland and Matthew Strickland; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Wounded Warrior Project, P O Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 and/or ttps://support.worldwildlife.org/ Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE ROAD, MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833.