Richard Edward Bickel, 74, of Collinsville IL, passed away on Thursday September 8 th 2022 at University Care Center in Edwardsville. He was born on August 16 th 1948 to Lester and Catherine “Kitty” Bickel in Carbondale IL. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1966. Richard served in the United States Army from 1966-1969 and proudly served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers. In 1973 he married Mary Susan Waldron on November 30 th 1973 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in East St. Louis. Richard worked at Granite City Steel Works for years. He loved nature and especially enjoyed hunting in Michigan with his cousins. He also enjoyed working part time in his later years at Cahokia Mounds near his childhood home and had great knowledge of the Cahokia Mounds site. Often times you would see Richard walking the streets in uptown Collinsville waving the American flag or working Friday evenings selling burritos outside Bert’s Chuckwagon. He was an avid Cardinals fan, a patriot, and loved his family and the simple things in life. Richard is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Susan “Sue” Bickel; children, James Pirtle, Lisa Barker, Daniel Bickel, and , son-in-law Ryan Barker, daughter-in- law Carolyn Pirtle, and grandchildren; Noah Pirtle, Emily Pirtle, Donovan Barker, Addison Barker, Holden Bickel, Thatcher Bickel, and Rosaleen Bickel. There will be a private family service at Jefferson Barracks on Wednesday September 28 th . Please send condolences to Cambridge House 6960 IL-162 Maryville Illinois 62062 Attn: Sue Bickel.