Obituary of Darrell Dean Rishel

Darrell D. Rishel February 26, 1949 - December 28, 2021 Darrell Dean Rishel, longtime resident of Westminster, Colorado; formerly of Andover, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on December 28, 2021 after fighting a courageous battle with lung cancer. Darrell was born in Wichita, Kansas on February 26, 1949 to Gladys Marie Rishel (Swim) and John Benjamin Rishel II. Darrell†™s family resided in Wichita, Kansas and moved to the city of Andover in the late 1950†™s. As a child, Darrell enjoyed summers with his grandparents in Eureka, Kansas. He and his brothers enjoyed swimming, roller skating and watching the workings of the home gardens, canning and especially their Grandmother Stockton†™s cooking. Darrell†™s only cousin, Kay Owings (Lillie) was often with Darrell and his two brothers on these adventures. Darrell graduated as valedictorian of his class from Andover High School in 1967. He enjoyed basketball, baseball and golf. Darrell received and accepted invitations to several aerospace summer camps during his high school years. He was awarded several academic scholarships to different universities. He attended Kansas University and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Wichita State University in 1972. ROTC helped pay for college and he served in the US Army for 5 years as a 1st Lieutenant and attained the rank of Captain prior to his honorable discharge in July of 1977. Darrell attended law school at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and earned his Juris Doctorate degree in December of 1979. Darrell married Vickie L Rishel (Shofner) on May 1, 1976 in Wichita, Kansas. In 1980 the couple moved to Westminster, Colorado where they have resided for the last 41 years. Together they raised three daughters. The family enjoyed vacations camping at various national parks and taking the boat out for water skiing and tubing. Darrell worked in the legal department for oil companies in Denver from 1980 - 1983. He changed his career path in 1983 and spent over 20 years working for Arapahoe House, a drug and alcohol abuse treatment center where he worked in many different capacities. He worked to improve treatment access to those most in need, assisted in acquiring property to house people who chose to get clean and sober. He worked in the IT department to begin the electronic records process to Arapahoe House. Darrell finished his career working for HUD, retiring in February of 2019. Darrell loved playing golf, watching college basketball (Rock Chalk Jayhawk), college football and reading. Darrell enjoyed spending time with his family and was a great Papa to his grandchildren. Darrell is survived by his wife of 45 ½ years, Vickie L. Rishel, his daughters; Kristine M. Ferfache (Najib), Natalie A. Ring (Brian) and Megan L. Wiser (Scott); his grandchildren, Sean A. Matchett, Brody D. Wiser and Amelia R. Wiser. He is preceded in death by his parents; Ben and Gladys Rishel and his brothers John Benjamin Rishel III and Marvin Dale Rishel. A memorial service will be held on January 6th at 11:00 am. The service will be held at Aspen Mortuary located at 6370 Union St. Arvada, CO 80004. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to TRU Community Care (https://www.trucare.org/make-a-donation-to-tru/) or an Alcohol / Drug treatment center of your choice.