After more than 30 years of owning and operating R&M Heating and Cooling in Russell, Rick and Karen Gates sold their business to Comfort Pro, owned by Barry Stalcup, in 2017. Now the couple have announced their retirement, and were recently recognized during Comfort Pro’s “What’s Up In Russell?” event on Feb. 6.
“We are so grateful for the support the community has shown us over the years,” Karen Gates said. “We started R&M Heating and Cooling in 1987, and we’re sure that Barry and his crew will take great care of the Russell community moving forward.”
Comfort Pro, based out of Great Bend, purchased the Russell business in April 2017, and has already begun expanding services to include plumbing, water softeners, whole-house humidifiers and even appliance sales.
“We are excited to be here in Russell and will continue to offer the same great heating and air conditioning services that R&M has been providing for years,” Stalcup said. “But now we are also able to offer plumbing, something that Russell has been needing more of. All of R&M’s employees are staying on with us and now our other licensed technicians are available to serve Russell as well.”