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Joseph Rickman of Lovington, N.M., died peacefully in the presence of loved ones on September 23, 2003, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, N.M. He was 79. He was a beloved educator who used his teaching talents to inspire students in many New Mexico communities throughout his career. Joseph Rickman was born on September 19, 1924, in Cassopolis, Mich. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was in combat in the European theater. He later received his bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. He married Geneah (Jeanne) Rickman in 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa. Joseph Rickman began his teaching career in 1951 in Cherokee, Iowa. In 1958, he and his family moved to Eunice, N.M., where he taught science at Eunice Junior High School. In 1967, he and his family moved to Los Alamos, N.M. At Los Alamos, he delighted students at Cumbres Junior High School for six years with an energetic teaching style that included memorable hands-on lessons in chemistry, biology and the Earth sciences. He also coached intramural football at the junior high. During the 1970s and 1980s, he taught in Questa, N.M., and Des Moines, N.M. He also taught culinary arts at the Northern New Mexico Community College in Espaola, N.M. Later in his life he worked as a corrections officer at the Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe. After retiring from teaching, he made jewelry and pottery as a hobby. He later moved to Lovington, N.M., where he married Geraldine Rickman. Lovington remained his home until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, John Rickman of California. He is survived by his brothers, James Rickman and Garrett Rickman, of California; former wife, Geneah Rickman, of Los Alamos, N.M.; son, Rick Rickman and wife, Marla, of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and their children, Dillon Rickman and Sloane Rickman; son, Joel Rickman and wife, Jamey, of Las Cruces, N.M.; son, James Rickman and companion, Caroline Spaeth, of Los Alamos, N.M.; wife, Geraldine Rickman, of Lovington, N.M.; step-daughter, Lisa Braggs, of Roswell, N.M., and her three children, who regarded Joseph as a wonderful grandfather. A Funeral Service was held on September 27, 2003, in Lovington, N.M., prior to his burial at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Lagrone Funeral Home in Roswell, N.M.
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