Rick "Rancher Rick, Hotchkiss Howler" Brodel
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B - January 17, 2021
Rick Brodel
May 23, 1946 - January 11, 2021
Our hearts are broken at
the departure of our beloved
husband, dad, grandpa, and
friend. Rick was loved for his
infectious smile and laugh, as
well as his one-of-a-kind sense
of humor. He was a man of great
faith who stood by his word. He
was known to his friends and
customers at Farmer Franks
as Rancher Rick. He playfully
introduced himself as ‘Rancher Rick, the Hardware Tycoon of the
North Fork Valley.’
Rick was born to Frank and Margaret Brodel in Reading,
Pennsylvania. The family moved from coast to coast before they
chose to call Colorado home. After three years in Steamboat
Springs, they settled in Hotchkiss in 1963. Rick graduated from
Hotchkiss High School in 1964. He attended Mesa Junior College
before serving in the Vietnam war. Upon meeting the love of his
life, Rick proposed to Candy Covey after just three dates, quickly
recognizing they both wanted to spend the rest of their days
together. They started their family in Delta County and ended up
raising their two daughters in Hotchkiss.
For 41 years Rick dedicated his time working at Farmer Franks,
the family business. He ran the hardware store for 25 years before
taking over the shoe store, where he found pure joy and formed
many close relationships with his customers. Rick loved giving
them a hard time and especially loved when they gave it back to
him. The business drew customers from all over the state. The final
11 years, Rick and Candy worked side-by-side until their retirement,
they believed these days were some of the best times of their life.
Rick loved nothing more than to plan road trips with Candy, they
especially loved visiting Texas and Oregon and all of the fun stops
in between. He loved watching his girls and grandchildren compete
in their team sports. As he proudly supported his daughters in
their volleyball and basketball games, he earned the title of the
‘Hotchkiss Howler.’ Rick was a self-taught woodworker, and
generously shared the fruits of his talents with friends and family
over the years. He was most proud of the family home he built with
love and perfection. Rick took great pleasure in taking Candy out
in the canoe while she fished. In all honesty, as long as the two of
them were together, they were in heaven.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by
Candy, his wife of almost 50 years; daughter, Jenny (Steve) Day of
Prosper, TX; daughter, Stacey (Brad) Cummins of Grand Junction;
siblings, Keita (Cliff) Davis, Kendall (Carol) Brodel, Martin
(Brenda) Brodel, Mary (Ken) Simon, and sister-in-law, Karen Hunt.
He cherished every moment with his five grandchildren, Tyler and
Ryan Day; Bailee and Cloey Campbell and Cole Cummins, as well
as several nieces and nephews.
Per Rick’s wishes, there will be no services, but his family will
meet at a later date to raise a glass to this wonderful man. If you
would like to honor Rick, please consider a donation to KidsAid or
find a way to serve someone
