Louis A. Rickards Age 55 of Lewes, DE, died in an automobile accident Sunday, February 3, 2002.

He was born in Easton, MD March 30, 1946, the first child of William Orton and Avice Collins Rick-ards. He grew up at 302 Savannah Rd. in Lewes Beach next to the family business, the Rickards & Ramsey general store. He went to Lewes High School, playing all 3 sports and graduated in 1964. It was in the Lewes High School that he met Naomi in the 7th grade in Tom Dillon's history class. He worked for his father in the Rickards & Ramsey general store and the Henlopen Beverage Mart.

In 1967 he enlisted in the US Army Reserves and served 6 years, getting an honorable discharge in 1973. On November 26, 1966 he wed Naomi E. Luzzi and was married to her the rest of his natural life. A son, Hank, was born May 25, 1970 and a daughter, Patricia Lou was born November 26, 1974 on Lou and Naomi's 8th anniversary.

On October 2, 1962 he joined the Lewes Fire Department and would dedicate his life to that organization serving 25 years as chief or assistant chief and more terms as president (13) than any other member in the department's long and proud history. Along with the previously mentioned accomplishments during Lou's 39 years of service, he was the department's secretary for 10 years and treasurer for 2 years. He was an inductee into the Fireman's Historical Foundation in 1992 and president of the Del-Mar-Va Volunteer Fireman's Association from 1996-1997. Lou was inducted into the Volunteer Fire Service Hall of Fame in 1997 as well as being named a Lewes Fire Department Chief Emeritus. He was most recently named an honorary member of the Town Bank Fire Company in Town Bank, NJ. Lou was directly or indirectly involved in every major project that the Lewes Fire Department has undertaken in the last 39 years. A few of those projects were the construction of Station 2 in 1990, and the demolition and construction of Station 1 in 1992. Most recently he was the driving force behind the smoke detector give-a-way program following the tragic fire deaths in Oak Orchard and was also instrumental in making the dream of a joint Lewes-Rehoboth Station 3 closer to becoming a reality. However, one of Lou's proudest accomplishments was his completion of the 200th anniversary book for the Lewes Fire Department, which included a complete history.

On December 13, 1967, Lou was appointed as a trooper with the Delaware State Police. He would serve 251/2 years, retiring June 24, 1993. During his career he worked traffic, K-9, criminal, public information and supply. He received 2 Superintendents Citations for bravery during his career. Upon retiring from the Delaware State Police, he was employed as a dispatcher for the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange and enjoyed many years working at the ship reporting tower at Cape Henlopen Point. He often said if he were a millionaire he would work for free to enjoy the magnificent view from the Pilot Tower. He also worked for Omni Computer Services in Eldersburg, MD, doing fundraising for fire and ambulance departments. At that time he was very proud of his long association writing for The Maryland Fire Dispatch with Judy and Neil Hogg.

In May 1995, Michael J. Arnett entered this world and Lou totally worshiped and adored his grandson who he referred to as "His All Time Buddy". The sun rose and sat on Mr. Michael. In November 1997, Miss Kristen Nichole Arnett entered this world and now Lou had a twinkle in his eye and once again he totally worshiped and adored Miss Kristen "It's a doll baby". These 2 grandchildren would soon be his whole world.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Naomi; son and daughter-in-law, Hank and Jeannie; daughter, Patricia; 2 sisters, Avice Rickards and Billie Ann Buckaloo, father-in-law, Jack Luzzi; cherished grandchildren, Michael and Kristen; his black lab, Smith; 2 cats, Tigger and Muffin; the Lewes Fire Department; and his many friends in the fire service.

Louis A. Rickards Age 55 of Lewes, DE, died in an automobile accident Sunday, February 3, 2002.

He was born in Easton, MD March 30, 1946, the first child of William Orton and Avice Collins Rick-ards. He grew up at 302 Savannah Rd. in Lewes Beach next to the family business, the Rickards & Ramsey general store. He went to Lewes High School, playing all 3 sports and graduated in 1964. It was in the Lewes High School that he met Naomi in the 7th grade in Tom Dillon's history class. He worked for his father in the Rickards & Ramsey general store and the Henlopen Beverage Mart.

In 1967 he enlisted in the US Army Reserves and served 6 years, getting an honorable discharge in 1973. On November 26, 1966 he wed Naomi E. Luzzi and was married to her the rest of his natural life. A son, Hank, was born May 25, 1970 and a daughter, Patricia Lou was born November 26, 1974 on Lou and Naomi's 8th anniversary.

On October 2, 1962 he joined the Lewes Fire Department and would dedicate his life to that organization serving 25 years as chief or assistant chief and more terms as president (13) than any other member in the department's long and proud history. Along with the previously mentioned accomplishments during Lou's 39 years of service, he was the department's secretary for 10 years and treasurer for 2 years. He was an inductee into the Fireman's Historical Foundation in 1992 and president of the Del-Mar-Va Volunteer Fireman's Association from 1996-1997. Lou was inducted into the Volunteer Fire Service Hall of Fame in 1997 as well as being named a Lewes Fire Department Chief Emeritus. He was most recently named an honorary member of the Town Bank Fire Company in Town Bank, NJ. Lou was directly or indirectly involved in every major project that the Lewes Fire Department has undertaken in the last 39 years. A few of those projects were the construction of Station 2 in 1990, and the demolition and construction of Station 1 in 1992. Most recently he was the driving force behind the smoke detector give-a-way program following the tragic fire deaths in Oak Orchard and was also instrumental in making the dream of a joint Lewes-Rehoboth Station 3 closer to becoming a reality. However, one of Lou's proudest accomplishments was his completion of the 200th anniversary book for the Lewes Fire Department, which included a complete history.

On December 13, 1967, Lou was appointed as a trooper with the Delaware State Police. He would serve 251/2 years, retiring June 24, 1993. During his career he worked traffic, K-9, criminal, public information and supply. He received 2 Superintendents Citations for bravery during his career. Upon retiring from the Delaware State Police, he was employed as a dispatcher for the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange and enjoyed many years working at the ship reporting tower at Cape Henlopen Point. He often said if he were a millionaire he would work for free to enjoy the magnificent view from the Pilot Tower. He also worked for Omni Computer Services in Eldersburg, MD, doing fundraising for fire and ambulance departments. At that time he was very proud of his long association writing for The Maryland Fire Dispatch with Judy and Neil Hogg.

In May 1995, Michael J. Arnett entered this world and Lou totally worshiped and adored his grandson who he referred to as "His All Time Buddy". The sun rose and sat on Mr. Michael. In November 1997, Miss Kristen Nichole Arnett entered this world and now Lou had a twinkle in his eye and once again he totally worshiped and adored Miss Kristen "It's a doll baby". These 2 grandchildren would soon be his whole world.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Naomi; son and daughter-in-law, Hank and Jeannie; daughter, Patricia; 2 sisters, Avice Rickards and Billie Ann Buckaloo, father-in-law, Jack Luzzi; cherished grandchildren, Michael and Kristen; his black lab, Smith; 2 cats, Tigger and Muffin; the Lewes Fire Department; and his many friends in the fire service.