Rick Weicht

Sgt. Rick Dwaine Weicht, 46, of Statesville, N.C., went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 07, 2011, at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Born on December 13, 1964, in Waynesboro, Pa., he was the son of Nelson D. and Alice J. (Tracy) Weicht.

He attended schools in Maryland, and graduated from Smithsburg High School in 1982.

Rick was an 18-year disabled veteran of the Maryland National Guard. He was activated into the U.S. Army in 1990, to support Desert Storm.

He was medically retired from the National Guard in 1999.  Sgt. Weicht was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.  In addition, he was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Airbourne Wings, the Expert Rifleman Badge and Marksmanship-Grenade.

Rick graduated from the U.S. Army Signal Course in 1982; graduated, with a diploma, from the Maryland Army National Guard Military Academy in 1985; and Affiliated Member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1986.  He was selected as Soldier of the Year (129th Signal BN) at Fort Bragg, N.C. in 1990.  Also in 1990, the Commanding General, at Fort Bragg, N.C., presented him with the CG's Coin in recognition of his outstanding duty performance.

Rick is a member of the Church of Christ on Whitehall Road, in Hagerstown, Md.; and the American Legion in Hancock, Md.

Rick is survived by his loving parents, Nelson and Alice Weicht; one son, Ryan Weicht Keefer; brother, Jeff N. Weicht; and special nephew, Jared N. Weicht.

The family will receive friends at the Grove Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Gerrard Fess will officiate. Burial, with military honors by the Tri-State Honor Guard, will be in the Piney Plains Methodist Cemetery.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com