Ricky Bolinger Obituary

Ricky Wayne Bolinger
April 19, 1954 - January 7, 2025
Ricky Wayne Bolinger, 70, passed unexpectedly, but peacefully at his home in Chelan on January 7, 2025.
Rick was born on April 19, 1954, to Myron and Anna Bolinger. He joined his brothers, Carl and Loren, and, sister, Nancy. They lived on Highline Drive in East Wenatchee on an apple orchard where Safeway is now located.
He attended school in East Wenatchee and graduated from Eastmont High School.
Rick married Elizabeth Swanson in 1976 and they had a son, Joshua Bolinger.
After graduation Rick joined his father and brother, Carl, and founded Myron Bolinger and Sons. They owned orchards on Baker Flat, Blue Grade, Chelan, Orondo and Pateros. On their property on Baker Flat they built a storage and apple packing warehouse. Rick not only was involved in growing apples, he was responsible for maintaining and running the packing warehouse. Being very mechanically inclined, this was right up his alley and he enjoyed working on the equipment. He also opened a fruit stand at that location that he named after his Mother, calling it Anna B's. After that business dissolved he started R B Custom Tractor Works and lived in Chelan.
In 2014 he met Kimberly Krause on a motorcycle dating site. It soon became apparent that they were meant for each other. They enjoyed many trips on their Harley motorcycles around the state together and with friends. They married in 2019. Unfortunately shortly thereafter, Kim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Rick stayed by her side through all the chemo treatments, remissions and eventually her passing in 2022. He was very sorry that they didn't have more years together.
Rick was passionate about motorcycle riding and playing pool. He developed many lasting friendships within those two groups. He also loved his basset hounds, Charles, Louie, Walter and then Danny who was not a bassett hound (but he loved him anyway).
Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Kimberly Bolinger; parents, Myron and Anna Bolinger; and brother, Carl Bolinger. He is survived by his son, Joshua Bolinger, Issaquah; sister, Nancy (Dave) Dahlen, East Wenatchee; brother, Loren Bolinger (Barbara), Everett.
Arrangements are by Precht Rose Chapel in Chelan. A gathering to remember Rick will be held in the spring.