EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — After a long courageous battle with prostate cancer for the past three years, Jerry Rich passed away Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at his home in El Dorado Hills, Calif., with his loving family around him. Over the years, he worked very closely with his team of Doctors and did everything he could to always stay strong.
Jerry was born in Northeast Ohio and raised on a farm with his two brothers … older brother, John, and younger brother, Jeff. Working with his father, he learned very much about the importance of strong work habits and to always work as a team. As he grew up, he also worked with this father who was a professional cement finisher and again worked very closely developing excellent workmanship skills and leadership skills. He also taught Jerry to hunt, fish and always have exposure to the out of doors. There is no doubt that his father had the biggest impact on the development of his life and will sure miss him greatly.
Jerry was also very active in all sports throughout his entire life and in high school … basketball, baseball and football. In fact, he was a CO-captain of the high school football team and landed a scholarship in college where he attended and graduated magna cum laude from GSC/University of West Virginia in 1976. Then he achieved his MBA from the University of Texas and worked in the elevator industry for +35 years. There, he held many different positions in operations, various levels of management, Vice President in the field and also Vice President in Corporate Operations. His primary mission in life was to lead and mentor his team and make an impact not only in business, but also career development and life in general. This is what always kept his passion. His latest position with KONE Inc., prior to his death, was really one of the best positions that he enjoyed the most as the Region Installation Director in that he had the opportunity to work with a great variety of people.
Jerry was blessed with a very strong family … his wife, Pam, of +33 years who always supported him throughout his entire life. There is no doubt the love and impact she made on him and his entire family. He traveled extensively for many many years and Pam always supported his family to ensure that he was successful with his job and they were successful with his family. During the past several years of his fight with cancer, Pam was excellent in helping, supporting and praying for him. The CaringBridge she setup had over +10,000 visitors, friends, relatives, family, former work associates and current work associates, all of whom helped, supported and prayed for Jerry and his entire family … Pam, Ryan and Jamie. His son, Ryan, and daughter, Jamie, meant the world to him and he always did everything that he could to support them, develop them and love them. Needless to say, they will all miss him but are prepared to move on with their lives as a direct result of these efforts and Pam’s efforts.
Jerry’s mom, Doris Rich, died in April 2004. She was truly a great influence on his life and was key in the development of his catholic faith and religion. Also, she always supported his entire family and truly loved the holidays!!
We want to thank the Doctor and Nursing Team that did everything they could to support Jerry … Mindy, Sandy, Tegan, Dr. Javeed, Dr. Goldsmith and Dr. Harzstark.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 8th, in California.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Caring Bridge website in his honor, www.caringbridge.org, as it truly helped in the healing process.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
