Philip R. ’Rich’ Spichke

Rich Spichke, 78, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2011, at the Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, MN.Philip Ritchie Spichke was born June 6, 1933 to Anne and Philip Spichke. He grew up and attended school in Kief, ND.He attended college at the "AC", which later became NDSU, graduating in 1955.He married Carol Hruza in 1955 in Moorhead, MN.They resided in Kief, ND where he farmed with his father. He later went to work for the Farmers Home Administration in Hettinger, Dickinson, and Bowman, ND.He and his family moved back to the farm in 1960, where they built and operated the first automated cattle feed lot in North Dakota along with his father and brother.He briefly worked for Badger Northland and then became sales manager for Westgo in West Fargo, ND.During this period of time, he was instrumental in starting a small farm equipment exposition which developed into the BIG IRON Farm show.In 1981, he started a farm equipment sales company, Mid North Associates, and remained active in the business until retirement.He served on the BIG IRON board, Red River Valley Fair board, West Fargo Chamber, Rotary, and church boards.In 2002 he was diagnosed with Vascular Frontal Lob Dementia. Rich enjoyed tending to his yard and spending time at his lake home with his wife and family.He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children, Mark Sandy, Sartell, MN and Mary Bob Rust, Granger, IN, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Gene Dee, Kief, ND. We were so blessed to have him in our lives. We wish to thank the Sunnyside Care Center for the care and compassion they provided.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Fargo Air Museum, your church, a charity of your choice or Hospice of the Red River Valley.