Richard J. Cizek

Dick was born in Osgood, Ind., in 1928 and lived most of his adult life in Huntsville, Ala., where he retired from NASA and Boeing.

In retirement, his sense of adventure led him to trekking in Nepal, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Antarctica and many other adventures, traveling six continents. He hiked extensively in the North Alabama area, and was active in the North Alabama Land Trust and Sierra Club.

After Dick served in the Marine Corps in Key West as one of President Truman's guards, Key West became one of his favorite places to visit.

As a high school student, he spent summers in Idaho, fighting forest fires, and after traveling the world, he returned to Idaho as a campground host at the Wildness Gateway Campground for seven summers. Hooked on Idaho, he settled in Lewiston, with Joan Dayharsh, his significant other.

Dick is survived by his three children who were all with him at the time of death: Steve Cizek (Alison) of Montgomery, Ala., Mark Cizek of Huntsville, Ala., and Marcie (Tommy) Smith of Auburn, Ala. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Lauren, Emmy and Alex; and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of a funeral, a special ceremony will be planned next summer to scatter his ashes at the Wilderness Gateway Campground. When available, details of that event will be available on his Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter, www.lcshelter.org or the North Alabama Land Trust, www.landtrustnal.org.