Obituary of Richard Baurick

Richard Baurick died peacefully at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday, May 30, 2021, after a brief illness. He died in his sleep, without pain, after stating, "I'm ready."

Richard was born Oct. 16, 1933, to Johanna and Bruno Baurick in New York City. He grew up in New York and Germany then graduated from high school in New York. He was accepted to Columbia University but sadly couldn't afford it. After high school he and his brother, Arno, traveled to Montana where Richard got his degree at the Montana School of Mines. In 1957 they headed to Fairbanks to attend the University of Alaska. There he met and married his first wife, Karin Baurick. They were proud members of the Chena Ridge "Militia" with the Keglers, Hawmans, Shroyers, Kopenens and many others. Dad worked with his friend, Jim O'Neil, at the power plant and building camps for the Alyeska pipeline with his brother, Arno, throughout the 1960s.

Richard and Karin ultimately moved to Chena Ridge in 1970. Many will remember 25 years of Sunday volleyball at the Bauricks. Often the court would be shovelled in February, Richard's friend Howard Isberg was always one of the shovelers. Friday night cards were another of Richard's favorites, sometimes a second table needed to be set up. Trumps was always Dad's favorite, but Hearts, Spades, even Double Deck Pinochle were all played. Everyone was welcome at a Baurick Christmas; more than one surprise guest was amazed to find a gift mysteriously addressed to them from Santa. With his wife, Karin, Richard raised four sons and sent them to college. Not one of them became master criminals! After living a winter in tents and three years in an unfinished basement, they finished their wonderful house on Rosie Creek Road. Richard was a general contractor and built, wired, plumbed and finished many houses in Fairbanks, with his wife, Karin, at his side. Unfortunately, in 1991, Karin died after a recurrence of breast cancer.

Dad was lost when mom died, but then regained his joy for life when he met Beth. In 1993 Dad visited his son in his residency at the University of New Mexico and was introduced to a wonderful nurse, Beth. She gave him a new reason to live, and she was welcomed whole-heartedly into the family. They married in 1994 and honeymooned floating down the Yukon River. Eventually, Dad moved to New Mexico and lived there till this May. Albuquerque became a Mecca for the Bauricks and friends. We all became very familiar with the region and Beth's hospitality. Ballooning with Dad's brother-in-law Jim Brandau and his wife Molly, climbing, hiking and biking in the incredible mountains of New Mexico. Many games of Pinochle were played at La Luz where Richard and Beth lived. Dad was a proud member of the Gracilis chase crew, I'll never forget him racing across the scrub around Ship Rock in a rented Blazer, jumping arroyos. Beth and Richard traveled and cruised around the world and spent a lot of time in Fairbanks. A new branch of the Baurick family lives in New Mexico.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Karin; his middle son, Glen; his brother, Arno; as well as his parents and many loved ones, notably Jessie Perkins, who was like a fifth son to him. He is survived by his wife, Beth; three sons, Cole (Corrine), Karl (Kari) and Jeff (Tina); two stepdaughters, three siblings, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and too many loved ones to list. A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 7 at Karl and Kari's house. All are welcome.