TOPEKA — Richard Alan Vink, 61, of Topeka, entered into eternal peace Jan. 4, 2022 at Midland Hospice, after a courageous and long fought battle with cancer. He never lost the will to fight and peacefully passed with his wife by his side.
He was born Feb. 3, 1960 in Great Bend, Kan., the son of Larry and Joan (Debes) Vink. Rich grew up in Great Bend, Kan. and Hoisington, Kan. until his family moved to Topeka in 1976. He was a 1978 graduate of Seaman High School. Rich worked at White Star Machinery, hauling and delivering heavy equipment for 14 years. Past employments include Hamms, BJ Excavating, Meiers Ready Mix, Vink Oil Rigs, Larry Vink Trucking & Capital Equipment. Rich was a perfectionist of anything he constructed, a dedicated worker whom always took pride in his work and accomplishments.
On April 14, 2007 he married his best friend Norma J. Creek at the United Methodist Church in Meriden.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Norma Vink of the home. Other survivors include a stepdaughter, Chandra Creek, grandsons, Caleb Creek (Joyln) and Zachary Kirk, Taylor Kirk, (granddaughter) great grandsons, Cobi, Cade and Greyson; four sisters, Marilyn Fairchild and Brenda Wilson both of Topeka, Jane Rice, Hoisington, and Kim Loring (Eric), Prior Lake, Minn.; a niece, Tonya Deal (Jeff); nephews, Adam Rice (Kelly), Lenexa, Andrew Fairchild, Kansas City, Collin Wilson, Topeka, Zachary Loring, Arizona; and Luke Loring, Prior Lake, Minn.; great nieces, Piper Deal and Finley Rice; great nephews, Kase and Madden Rice and Hudson Deal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Joan Vink; brother-in-laws, George Rice, Hoisington, Greg (Buzz) Wilson, Topeka, Ronald Fairchild, Topeka; and a great grandson Zachary Addison Kirk.
Upon confirmation of timing.....Funeral services will be at the Meriden United Methodist Church, and a visitation one hour prior to services, Inurnment will follow at the Meriden Cemetery. (Masks are optional) Memorials may be made to the Richard Alan Vink Fund in care of Barnett Family Funeral Home, PO 602, 1220 Walnut St., Oskaloosa, KS, 66066, or Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Barnett Family Funeral Home
P.O. 602
Oskaloosa, KS, 66066
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 12, 2022
