Richard Thomas Neal, January 5, 1965 - October 22, 2026.
It is with heavy hearts and profound love that we honor the life of Richard "Rick" Thomas Neal, a beloved son, father, Papa, brother, and friend whose radiant spirit brought laughter, warmth, and joy to the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. Born on January 5, 1965, in Michigan City, Indiana, to Alyce and Tom Neal, Rick leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, perseverance, and memories that will be cherished for generations.
Rick passed away on October 22, 2026, in the comfort of his home and in the presence of his loved ones after a hard-fought duel with cancer. Although the disease took his life, it never diminished his radiant spirit until his last moments.
He took immense pride in being the father of Alli Neal, Jake (Kaylee) Neal, Jordan (Skylah) Neal, and Drew (Mandy) Ketcham, and Papa to Alyce, Tommy, and Bella. Within his close family, a bond like no other was shared between Rick and his siblings, Mark (Chris Neal, Andy (Kathy) Neal, Cindy (Ted) Sturgis, and Marilyn (Wally) Durham.
Rick graduated from Landmark Christian High School in 1983 after "schooling" any competition that came his way in basketball and soccer. His athletic accomplishments eventually led him to begin college on a soccer scholarship at Bethel. Later, he completed his associate degree at Purdue North Central. Soccer and basketball were only the beginning of Rick's athletic pursuits.
In 2003, he spontaneously decided he was going to run three of the most demanding marathons, taking on Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis over the span of three consecutive weeks. Earlier that same year, he had also taken on the Boston Marathon.
If comedic relief were a currency, Rick would undoubtedly be the wealthiest man to ever live. By God's gracious gifting, his humor was contagious, and to know Rick, whether as "Papa," "Pops," or "Slick Rick," was to know what it meant to have a smile put on your face at any moment. Rick liked his coffee as black as the sky in the opening credits of one of his favorite franchises, Star Wars, and would never miss a beat on game day, especially if it involved the Colts, the White Sox, or, of course, his alma mater, Purdue.
Along with sports, humor, and his pride in being a military dad to all three, Rick shared an additional special bond with his boys over wrestling, especially their love for the "Nature Boy," Ric Flair, who, by chance, not only shared the same name with him but also the same fiery passion and intensity.
He loved dogs, especially Pandora, who preceded him in passing and patiently awaits him in Heaven. He treasured time spent with his family, especially if it consisted of "throwing something on the grill" and starting a fire with his red can of gasoline because lighter fluid was never enough for his ambitious eye.
His strength, humor, unwavering spirit, and deep love for his family will never be forgotten. While his absence leaves an immeasurable emptiness, those who love him can find comfort in knowing that his spirit remained radiant until the very end and that, through faith, this goodbye is not forever.
Funeral service honoring Rick's life will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN, with pastor Terry McKinney officiating.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Family, friends, and all whose lives were blessed by Rick's presence are invited to come together to celebrate his life, share memories, and honor the remarkable man he was. May we carry forward his laughter, his love, and his determination to live life fully, remembering always that the greatest part of Rick will remain with us in the stories we tell, the smiles he inspired, and the love that will never fade.
The family request donations to be made to https://15outof10.org/
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit our website at
www.otthaverstock.com.
