Richard "Rich" Wilkes

Richard D. "Rich" Wilkes, age 78, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Banner Wyoming Medical Center due to complications following a fall.

Rich was born on June 10, 1947, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Robert C. and Mary E. Wilkes. He grew up in Omaha and was an accomplished athlete at Benson High School, excelling in both wrestling and football. During the 1965 season, Rich played center and linebacker, earning recognition as an Omaha All-City Player and receiving Honorable Mention to the Nebraska All-State Football Team. His leadership qualities were evident as a co-captain of the team, an officer in the Letterman’s Club, and being honored as Benson High's Homecoming King.

Following high school, Rich attended the University of Nebraska, where he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1973, Rich relocated to Casper, Wyoming. He spent many years working for various steel fabricating companies, utilizing his skills as a draftsman and engineer. Upon his retirement, he continued to contribute his expertise as a consultant through Wilkes Steel Design.

Rich had a unique gift for forming and maintaining friendships, a quality stemming from his outgoing nature, wonderful sense of humor, and genuine acceptance of everyone he met. A random, welcomed phone call from Rich was a common experience for his friends, a tradition he maintained throughout his life. When asked what was important to him, he would quickly list family, friends, and cars—especially those that were "unreasonably fast and quite good at outrunning pursuit of any kind." He deeply loved the Wyoming outdoors, particularly around a good campfire, and could always be counted on for a memorable, classic camp antic.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. and Mary E. Wilkes, and his nephew, Jason S. Wilkes of Casper, Wyoming.

He is survived by his brother, Robert L. Wilkes and his partner, Pam Bretey, of Casper and Douglas; his niece, Erin Wesnitzer, and her husband, Randy; his grandniece, Alyssa Fuchs, and her husband, Brent; and his grandnephew, Garret Wesnitzer and his wife, Brynn, all of Casper.

Memorial services are tentatively planned for the summer of 2026.