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July 27, 1947 April 18, 2015
July 27, 1947 -- April 18, 2015

Richard A. Ibata, Age:67

Richard “Rich” Alan Ibata, beloved husband of Janie, died at the age of sixty-seven at his home in Chicago on Saturday April 18th, 2015, from cancer. Rich had been under home hospice care for several weeks. He is survived by his parents Agnes Kazuko and Thomas Takishi Ibata; brother David; wife Janie nee Barber; four children and spouses, Kathryn (Cris Arens), Jennifer (Michael Fetzer), Brent (Annette) and Christopher (Jenny Lynn); and eleven grandchildren, Tanya, Natasha, Maximillian, Audrey, Brennan, Elizabeth, Ava, Thomas, Casandra, Elyse, and Lilith.

Rich was born in 1947 in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. He was an active member of his local church, where at the age of sixteen, he met his future wife, Janie. Rich had a long career with the Chicago Fire Department, beginning his service on Ambulance 13 as a paramedic. His last post was as Field Chief “453” in Jefferson Park.

Rich was an avid skier, sailboat captain, motorcyclist and guitar player. Until the end, he could be seen volunteering as a member of the National Ski Patrol and Professional Ski Instructors Association at Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. A week prior to his passing, he felt the wind in his hair and sun on his face as he coasted down his favorite ski run on Winter Park Resort in Colorado, with his wife and children by his side.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 16th, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago. Interment private. Info 800-622-8358.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his name to support disabled skiing: National Sports Center for the Disabled (NCSD), P.O. Box 1290, Winter Park, CO 80482 or by phone 970-726-1518, or by web http://www.nscd.org/.

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Services

May 16th
Visitation
May 16, 2015
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Olson Burke/Sullivan
6471 N. Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, Illinois 60631

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May 16th
Memorial Service
May 16, 2015
2:00 p.m.
Olson Burke/Sullivan
6471 N. Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, Illinois 60631

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Condolences

Edward N. Guss May 12, 2015

Worked at CFD Delavan , Wisconsin

I was saddened to hear of Rich's passing !! My condolences to the Ibata family on their loss!

Phil Delany May 15, 2015

skier Antioch , Illinois

Always a smile A friendly nod Our thoughts and prayers

martin forman May 16, 2015

long time friend sparks , Nevada

Rich has been a great friend and a major influence on my love of skiing, a good supervisor and great help to me. I will miss him for the rest of my life. My sincere condolences to his family, wife Janie and friends.

Eric Tjader May 16, 2015

Friend from Wilmot Mountain ski school Winthrop Harbor , Illinois

Really appreciated getting to know Rich as a fellow instructor at Wilmot Mt ski school. I also really enjoyed going on the ski trips that he organized and skiing with his family. Those were the good old days! Rich will be missed around Wilmot seeing his enthusiasm and smiling face. Sorry I couldn't make today's service due to a conflicting schedule. My apologies. Sincerely Eric Tjader

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