Richard (Rick) Emil Wilm

Rick was born in Carrot River Saskatchewan on February 11, 1945.

It was one day when Richard's mother asked him to go to the post office (yes a post office - you can google it) to mail a letter and while standing in line he saw a poster for the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Forces) and there was an image on the poster of a beautiful woman in uniform and Rick thought "Hmmmm... perhaps if I join the Armed Forces I will meet pretty women like her" and thus he did join in 1963. After basic training he decided that he would like to be a Military Policeman and had storied 21-year career and was a Master Corporal (MCPL) when his final tour landed him in Calgary in 1982 where he eventually retired. Rick was afforded the opportunity to serve in both Baden and Lahr in Southwest Germany on three separate occasions for 4-year periods each time. It was almost unheard of to get transferred to Germany 3 different times, but Richard was very well respected by his superiors, and they understood the infinite love that he had of Europe. He served under the RCAF and Nato during those times and when he would tell people that he served during the Cold War some would call him out and say, "BS you didn't serve during the Cold War" and his answer was always "Yes I did, I wore a parka."

Rick absolutely loved Europe and there was not one corner of the continent that he did not travel to it seemed and visited almost every country possible at least once during his lifetime. He enjoyed the culture and moreover the entire history of the European continent and especially the cathedrals, churches, burial sites of World War I and World War II soldiers and just every and any historical site that one could imagine. His wealth of knowledge about European history was staggering and it was unbelievable the amount of pure comprehension that he had about all of it and kept in his head (not bad for a high school drop-out) And when the sites had all been visited and his knowledge of each was shared with family and friends (on many occasions) there was always time for a beer or two to wrap up the day. After retiring Richard also served for the Summons Office and the Sherriff's Department in Calgary and here to was always highly admired and respected by his superiors and his peers.

There truly are not enough words to describe Richards entire life and the experiences that he had and - he made many many friends (and perhaps a few enemies) along the way. So respected was he in the Military that he was fondly given the nickname "Kaiser."

Richard is survived by his sisters Kim and Donna and his bothers Don and Larry and his and only son Michael. Richard was predeceased by his wife Jutta (whom he loved dearly) and his sister Jeanette and Brother Andrew (Sonny)

There will be no funeral services and Richard's wishes were to have his remains cremated and there will be a Celebration of Life in his honor with family and friends.

If you wish to make any donations to which Richard was a contributor these can be made to Stars Air Ambulance or the Alzheimer Society of Calgary

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