Richard Bannister, a U.S. Army Ranger, union bricklayer, school teacher, husband and father, passed away Dec. 23, 2022 at the age of 71. He now rejoins the love of his life, his wife Connie, who preceded him in death nearly two years earlier.

Rick was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania, as the first child to Art and Roberta Bannister. He graduated from Trinity High School in 1969 and stayed connected with many in that community for most of his life. When his own sons were younger, they were convinced he knew everyone in town because of how often people stopped him to say hello and to catch up on things.

Rick later joined the Army and after a particularly impressive demonstration of accuracy at the shooting range, he was encouraged to pursue Ranger training. Rick went on to become a Ranger and served his country with honor. From that point on, an American flag could always be found at “Ranger’s” home.

Later, Rick met Connie at the wedding of some mutual friends. The two would be joined as partners in every adventure for the more than four decades that followed. Those adventures included a trip to Key West, Florida, for their honeymoon, building a family and multiple careers, and embarking on a particular cross-country road trip to New Mexico that would set the foundation for a new life in the desert.

For many years, Rick was a union bricklayer, working jobs from Pennsylvania to Mississippi. After an accident at a steel mill injured his leg, Rick decided to go back to college and become a school teacher, like his wife. At the time, there weren’t enough teacher positions in Pennsylvania, so the two loaded a U-Haul and took their family to New Mexico. Rick taught at Carlsbad High School and later at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces. He retired after he was injured breaking up a school fight and saving a student from harm.

After retirement, Rick continued to pursue a number of passions. He began collecting various pieces of memorabilia. From cars, to music to sports and more, Rick amassed an impressive collection. He was proud of the 1969 GTO he rebuilt. He was proud of the home he made with Connie. And, most importantly, he was proud of his family.

Rick was a proponent of the philosophy to live each day as though it were your last, because one day you most certainly be right. In those days he had, Rick was a baseball coach, a painter and an avid sports fan. He showed his three sons how to build and fix things. He enjoyed watching movies and he loved listening to music. Rick had an impressive talent for taking care of plants and he enjoyed relaxing outside, next to his pool. His heart was filled with love and he would never let you leave the house without a hug.

He is survived by his sons Justin, Seth and Zachary; daughters-in-law Trisha, Nancy and Jamie; and grandchildren Collin, Addison and Jackson. He is also survived by his mother, Roberta, and his sisters, Kathy and Candi. He was preceded in death by his father, Art Bannister. A remembrance of his life will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 6 at Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces.

A Graveside service will be held at Masonic Cemetery on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 10:30am.

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