Richard "Rick" Parr Bellendorf

Richard Parr Bellendorf (Rick)
Rick was born on October 6, 1946 to William R. and Helen L. Bellendorf (Hazard) in Dekalb, Illinois. He died on January 3, 2015 at age 68 at his residence in Las Vegas, Nevada. He entrusted his care to Solari Hospice and his dear friends, Jerry Pesavento and George Millican.
He enjoyed visits, cards and phone calls from his family - brother, James Bellendorf (Emily), sister, Peggy Kuss (Otto) and many of his nieces and nephews who reside in Wisconsin where Rick spent several years of his life. He was excited to hear from his friends and looked forward to their visits as well.
During his teenage years the family moved to Florida where Rick attended Deland High School. He was an outgoing young man and participated in many activities including marching band. He attended the New York World's Fair in 1964 where the band performed. Following high school graduation he attended Daytona Beach Junior College where he earned his degree in nursing. He worked at various hospitals in Florida including Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach.
He followed his family from Florida to Wisconsin making his home in Abbotsford. He was employed by St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin as a surgical nurse and later as the hospital's employee health nurse, a job he enjoyed very much.
At some point the travel bug bit Rick and the desire to see the world. He applied and was accepted as a flight attendant for North Central Airlines receiving his flight wings in May, 1976 which was the start of Rick's world travels and where he would meet many of his life-long friends. He moved to Minneapolis, MN as a result. It was here that he met another young North Central Airlines recruit by the name of Jerry Pesavento.
Later the two moved to Schaumburg, Illinois and flew out of Chicago and later Detroit. In 1990 Rick and Jerry took a big step and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where they commuted to Los Angeles so as to enjoy bidding trips that took them to Hawaii and Australia.
Rick retired from Northwest Airlines in 2007 following 30 years of service and went on to enjoy a second- career which included positions as a travel agent and most recently as a security officer. He served a one-year term on the Clark County, Nevada grand jury.
When Rick was asked what he wanted to be remembered for during his life he said, without hesitation, his world travels. All totaled, he had traveled to 41 countries in his life time and many of them more than once. His most cherished memories included visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp, visiting his dear friends, Peter and Kathy in England and his many visits to Italy. Rick enjoyed writing and captured the details of each trip in a travel journal. He enjoyed sharing his journals and photo albums with all that he could.

Rick was a gourmet cook and found great satisfaction in entertaining and preparing special holiday meals for his friends. He looked forward to spending Sunday playing Hand and Foot with Jerry and George and occasional day trips to Mt. Charleston and Red Rock Canyon.
Rick loved Las Vegas, the mountains and of course playing video poker where he often collected considerable winnings. His lucky hand was usually a royal flush!
Rick was welcomed into his heavenly home by his mother and father that preceded him in death in 1998.
Rick will certainly be missed.

Service

Celebration of Life

Davis Memorial Chapel
6200 S. Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Saturday, February 21, 2015
11:00 a.m.