Richard “Rick” Deisler, 57, West Fargo, ND, died Monday, December 10, 2018, at his home under the care of his family. Richard Dean Deisler was born on May 23, 1961 to Leroy and Dora Deisler (Campbell/Christ) in Defiance OH. He grew up with five siblings (Johnny, David, Kelly, Tammy and Billy).
Throughout their childhood, they never stayed in one spot for very long, living in various places in Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. Rick’s folks divorced when he was 8 and his father died when Rick was 12. Rick has a very close-knit family and was especially close with his mom, who just passed away this summer.
At the age of 18, Rick began his career in the United States Air Force, serving ten years at the Nellis AFB in Las Vegas NV as an Airframe Structural Repair Technician. During this time, he met and married Rene Richards; they had four children together (Kori, Logan, Damien and Dana). Eventually this marriage ended in divorce.
After leaving the Air Force, Rick worked at Key Airlines in Las Vegas as a Line Mechanic servicing Boeing airplanes for two years. His interest in martial arts began around this time under the direction of Suye’ Dale Shigenaga. Rick also met and married Rita Boston and became step-dad to two children (Alicia and Jason).
Shortly after marrying Rita, they moved to Martinsville OH, for a position as a Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic at Airborne Express. During this time, Rick began teaching martial arts and was given the title of “Shrfu Rick”. Note, Rick went on to teach martial arts for 25+ years and was a catalyst and founding member of the American Tang Shou Tao Association (ATSTA), as well as, one of few to have earned a 4th Degree black sash in Shen Lung Hsing I Chuan.
After 12 years in Wilmington, Rick took a job in Fargo ND working at an out-base for Airborne and shortly thereafter began teaching again. A few years later, Rick’s second marriage ended in divorce. In March of 2003, Rick was sparring with a student and thought he tore a muscle in his leg.
He went to the doctor and was told it might be herniated, so was sent to another doctor. After a span of six months, and many tests and various doctors, Rick was diagnosed with Stage 3, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This was the beginning of a long journey.
Over the next 15 years, Rick doctored at the Roger Maris Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Preston Steen, while getting regular treatments at the Infusion Center. Rick attributed his longevity to Dr. Steen and the exceptional staff working at Roger Maris. In October 2003, Rick met Tammy Hieb through her son, David, who was one of Rick’s students.
They dated for 5-1/2 years before getting married in 2009. Overnight Rick became step-dad to Tammy’s three adult children (Leslie, David, and Bryan), who adore him to this day. In 2008, DHL, who had bought out Airborne Express, dropped its domestic services within the United States, leaving 9,500 employees without jobs.
Rick was one of them. He had worked for Airborne Express/DHL for a total of 17 years. After that Rick worked as a temporary aviation contractor until the cancer and treatments had beat him down and had to stop working.
Gradually Rick got to a point where his immune system was so vulnerable. Doctors told him to stay secluded and limit exposure to any one that may have a simple cold. Rick lived like this for several years.
It was hard on family, friends, his wife and him; but somehow, they made it work and everyone understood. Regardless of the daily battle Rick fought, he always maintained a positive attitude and his charisma, eloquence, wisdom and charm always shown through. Rick was one of a kind, irreplaceable.
His sarcasm, sense of humor, and whit came naturally and flowed flawlessly. He will truly be missed. But he would want you to know that he’s in Heaven, having coffee with his mom, listening to the pig-joke from his father-in-law, and once again reunited with his father, family, and friends that have gone before him.
Rick is survived by his wife, Tammy (Langseth/Hieb); two sons: Logan (Mishala) Deisler and Damien Deisler; two daughters: Kori Deisler and Dana (Edward) Mravinc; three step-sons: Jason (Mary) Boston, David Hieb, and Bryan Hieb; two step-daughters: Alicia Boston and Leslie (Justin) Abel; fifteen total grandchildren including three grandsons: Landon Deisler, Ozzy Mravinc, Zander Mravinc; three granddaughters: Ravyn Hieb, Madison Deisler, and Kira Deisler; five step-grandsons: Jonathan Hieb-Young, Gavin Abel, Sylvan Nelson, Matthew Boston and Jakob Boston; four step-granddaughters: Aubrie Abel, Alexus Abel and Trinity Boston and Bella Salmonson; his step-father: Mark Christ; his three brothers: John (Lois) Crawford, David Crawford, Billy Deisler; his two sisters: Kelly (Nick) Amoroso and Tammy Wright; his uncle: Frank Campbell; his aunt: Ethel Jewel; plus, many cousins, nephews and nieces. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Deisler and Dora Christ. VISITATION: 5PM – 7PM on SUNDAY, December 16, 2018, with a PRAYER SERVICE held at 7PM, all in West Funeral Home, West Fargo.
FUNERAL: 10AM on MONDAY, December 17, 2018, in West Funeral Home.
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