If you talked to Rick Waite for more than five minutes, you would get an amazing story about his time as an Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam or his grandchildren (and sometimes both). Not that he didn't have plenty of other interesting stories to tell -- in his lifetime, he was also a drummer in a rock band in his small hometown of Alburg, VT, worked as an insurance adjuster in Washington DC and Georgia, owned a video rental store in the 1980s, ran his own private investigation company in Dalton, GA, and spent eight years travelling cross-country in a travel trailer with his wife of 51 years, Diane.
Rick was a devoted husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, father-in-law, neighbor, and friend, and anyone could always call him anytime, anywhere about absolutely anything and he would know exactly how to help (or fake it until he figured it out). He loved fishing, watching movies (and telling you about them scene by scene), working on old cars, travelling (specifically anywhere with a helicopter on site) and woodworking. He had a reputation for being able to fix just about anything -- especially messes he got himself into.
Despite his best efforts, Rick died peacefully at home the morning of December 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Diane, daughters Missy (Charles) and Angie, grandchildren Maddie (Cameron), Allie, and Max, great-grandchildren Carolina and Lakeland, sisters Sheila (Peter) and Candice (Mike), brother-in-law Don (Kim), sister-in-law Donna, grand-dog Marietta, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Blanche and Francis, his brother Russell, and nephew David.
Rick will be laid to rest with military honors on Monday, December 18, at 2:30 PM at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Visitation will take place prior to the burial at 11:00 AM at Georgia Funeral Care, 4671 South Main Street, Acworth, GA, 30101, followed by a service at 12:00 PM and then a procession to the graveside.
C.S. Lewis wrote, "The pain I feel now is part of the happiness I had before. That's the deal." As Rick's family and friends painfully grieve his loss, we know it is because of all the happiness we have shared and stories we have made with him over the years. That's the deal.
