Aubrey Rike passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010. You may post your condolences on this forum thread and I will pass them on to his wife Glenda and son Larry. Al Rike, age 72, of Plano, Texas passed away April 22, 2010. He was born December 18, 1937 in Dallas, Texas to Argus and Lois (Longley) Rike. Al received his associate’s degree in law enforcement from Abilene Christian College in Dallas. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, actively from 1955- 1959, and as a reservist for the following four years. Al married Glenda Spears on August 27, 1960, in Dallas. He retired from the Highland Park Police Department as a Detective Sergeant after 26 years of service. Al worked from 1994-2002 for the Dallas County Sheriffs Department. Al is survived by his wife, Glenda Rike of Plano, Texas; son, Larry Rike of Plano, Texas; sister, Carolyn Hawkins and husband James of McKinney, Texas; sister-in-laws, Violet Taylor, Ruthie Keenum, Jarlene Graham, and Janet Spears; brother-in-law, J.T. Spears; numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, James Young, Bill Rike, and Richard Rike. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 29, 2010 in the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel with the Rev. Ron Hathcoat officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home beginning at 7:00 P.M.

At The Door of Memory: Aubrey Rike and the Assassination of President Kennedy
by Aubrey Rike with Colin McSween

From "At The Door Of Memory" I was self-assured when working the ambulance with Peanuts, and maybe overly so. I had served in the military, been overseas, and was confidently determined I had seen just about everything between combat and working on an ambulance. Nothing on the job could surprise me; I had seen it all. Until that day in Trauma Room 1, I never imagined just how wrong I could be. *** The President and Jacqueline Kennedy looked absolutely wonderful, both glowing with happiness. The President was stately, dressed in a suit, waving and smiling broadly at the crowd as they passed. Mrs. Kennedy was wearing a pretty pink suit with a matching hat, her gloved hand waving to the people pressed along the road. The President of the United States was looking directly at me. He was smiling and waving as though he had recognized me as an old friend. Peanuts and I were absolutely ecstatic. The President had waved specifically to us! *** Suddenly, men dressed in suits came running into the emergency room. However, it was not their alarmed faces that shocked me; I was stunned to see they were brandishing shotguns and green colored machine guns. Suddenly, the normal routine of our day had erupted into terrifying pandemonium.

AUBREY LEE RIKE was born in 1937 in Dallas, Texas. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1955 at 17 years of age. Once discharged in 1959, and back home in Dallas, Aubrey was employed as a driver for the Ambulance Service Company. He married Glenda in 1960, and in 1965 their son Larry was born. In 1961 Aubrey went to work for the O’Neal Funeral Home & Ambulance Service. While employed with O’Neal’s, Aubrey was at Parkland Memorial Hospital when President Kennedy was brought in after being shot by an assassin. Aubrey was the attendant who placed the President’s body into the casket while in Trauma Room 1. Aubrey has led a colorful life, including driving race cars, and performing as a rodeo clown. In 1967, Aubrey dedicated his life to public service as a police officer. He gained experience both as a police officer and fire fighter while serving with the Highland Park Police Department for 26 years. On retirement, Aubrey went to work for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. In total, he devoted thirty-five years of his life to the law enforcement profession.

COLIN MCSWEEN has had an interest in the assassination of President Kennedy since the day of the event in 1963, and has lectured throughout North America, having been featured on TV, radio, newspapers & magazines. He has consulted for a number of people in assassination research including David S. Lifton, Matthew Smith, Dr. Charles Crenshaw, Dr. Phillip Williams and William Law. A licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, Colin has served the B.C. Coroner’s Service & also as Chief Instructor of the B.C. Funeral Service Education Program. Colin & his family reside in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.