Richard ""Rick"" Sullivan

Name: Richard (Rick) L. Sullivan Jr., Age 66, a resident of Aurora, CO. Born: August 21, 1949 Passed Away on: January 16, 2016 Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Elizabeth and Richard Sullivan. He is preceded in death by his father Richard Sullivan. He is survived by his beloved wife Terri Sullivan and daughter Shannon Sullivan. He is also survived by mother Elizabeth Sullivan, 91, Sister Barbara and husband Jim Mould; Brother Matthew and wife Debby Sullivan, all of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, he is survived by his Sister-in-law Debi and husband Ken of Akron, Ohio and Sister-in-law Cheryl and husband Mark Niemeyer of Middletown, MD. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Kelly and Carl Sullivan, James Mould Jr., Matthew and Mark Snyder, Kyle, Alyssa, Colin, and Annaliese Niemeyer, as well as numerous friends he considered his extended family. After graduating from high school in 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio Rick joined the Navy and served honorably, including in Vietnam as an aviation electrician. Upon discharge in 1971, Rick moved to Denver, Colorado. He was employed as a draftsman, surveyor, and civil engineer. After obtaining a B.S. in business management at Metro State College in 1981 he formed his own real estate and business consultant company. He went on to obtain an M.B.A. from Colorado State University in 1992. He then joined the telecommunication industry in 1989 and stayed in the industry until retirement in 2015. Rick's 25 years in the telecommunication industry was spent AT&T, with a focus on wireless technology and real estate. He was a leader and a mentor to many. Some of his many accomplishments include: • Worked on many land use ordinances for wireless technology across the country for 25 years • Worked to pass the competitive local telecommunications legislation in CO in 1995; one year before federal 1996 legislation passed • In 1995 he was appointed by Governor (Romer) and Speaker of the House (Berry) to sit on the committee to re-write PUC regulations to accommodate competitive local exchange telecommunications; Chaired the 911 committee • In 1996 revised article 40 of State Legislation revising definitions of telecommunication carriers, and update Public Utilities Commission legislation. Passed first statewide wireless 911 legislation in the country • Never lost a public hearing for cell sites. Over 200 approved. • Wrote first 911 contract between cellular companies and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) • Managed over 4000 new cell site builds and managed 7000 existing cell sites in 14 western US States • With two other associates, he founded the Colorado Wireless Association, a non-profit association bringing a voice to the Colorado wireless industry and charitable contributions to Colorado children. He met his wife in 1979 and married in 1983. Their only daughter Shannon was born 1988. Rick loved playing softball and taught and coached his daughter who played all the way to high school. They loved just playing catch before dinner most nights until they couldn't see the ball anymore. Golf was his passion and he loved playing as much as he could with his wife and friends. Rick was very proud of his Irish heritage and was fortunate enough to travel to Ireland with his family and research his ancestry. He was a man of integrity and honesty in both his personal and professional lives. Rick loved his family and friends above all and will truly be missed. In May 2014 Rick was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. This disease is not as widely researched as it should be as there is currently no significant treatments or cure. To help further research and care, donations can be made to the following: Paralyzed Veterans of America at www.pva.org ALS Association-Rocky Mountain Chapter at www.alscolorado.org Services: Public Viewing: Monday January 25, 2016 from 5-8pm at: Final Visitation: Tuesday January 26, 2016 from 9-10am Funeral Service: Tuesday January 26, 2016 from 10-11am Interment: following the ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery will be promptly at 12:15pm, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236. There will not be a formal procession. Reception: Tuesday January 26, 2-5 p.m. Tin Cup Restaurant at Aurora Hills Golf Course, 50 S. Peoria St., Aurora, CO 80012