Charles “Rick” German

Charles Richard German (Rick) was born January 2, 1951 in Mount Clemens, Michigan to Charles German and Betty Bean. As an infant, he was blended into the family of his uncle and aunt, Clayton and Virginia Dennis and their children. He became best friends with his cousin Greg who was nearly the same age. Rick enjoyed growing up in Roseville and attended Greater Gratiot Elementary School. The only punch he ever threw was at the neighborhood bully on the corner of Tennessee and Maryland Streets. It didn’t help. 

When he was 11, Rick moved with his father to the Denver-Vega area of New York where he lived with his uncle and aunt, Elmer and Janet German and their children Chrissy, Timmy, Neil and Jennifer. The Hewitt family, who lived nearby, were a special part of his life. Rick attended Roxbury Central School where, ironically, his first teacher would later become his mother-in-law. He could have been an excellent student with a little effort, but saw going to school as a way to play sports. He was good at and especially liked baseball and soccer. Following high school Rick attended SUNY Delhi and worked for area contractors. In his late 20’s Rick took up photography as a hobby and enjoyed it very much, even developing and printing his own pictures. He tried to make a business out of it but quickly lost interest and gave up on the idea.

 Rick married Nancy Weyl in July 1971. When asked how they met Nancy once said “I liked mini-skirts and Rick liked legs” when actually they had known each other through school. Their daughter, Jess, was born four years later. Rick was a pressman at the Stamford Mirror Recorder at the time but wanted more for his family. He attended SUNY Oneonta after work two nights a week for two years. It was hard to work full-time, drive to Oneonta for class and back to Roxbury at night while having a family and studying. His perseverance paid off and Rick taught fifth grade at Roxbury Central School his entire 30-year career. He was President of the Roxbury Teachers’ Association for several terms and helped negotiate multiple contracts. He coached FIFA Youth Soccer and Modified Girls’ Soccer for many years as well. A soft heart laid under his sometimes gruff exterior as Rick cared deeply for his family, friends, colleagues and students. He understood that not all kids came from traditional two parent households because he lived it.

 Rick was also an enthusiastic exerciser (his words). He ran several road races from 5K’s to a 26 mile marathon. He was proud of finishing 43rd out of 254 runners in 3:12:35 in the marathon. When running was no longer an option due to knee problems, he took up cycling. Nancy joined him a year later and they looked forward to their daily rides. They also enjoyed snowshoeing. When those activities were no longer possible, he and Nancy joined the Rock Steady Boxing program, designed for people with Parkinson’s, held at the Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville.

 Rick passed on January 20, 2025 due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease which he was diagnosed with in 2007. He had been a resident at Robinson Terrace in Stamford since November 2022 when it was no longer safe to live in the home he loved. 

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, daughter Jessica and her partner Lisa of Gorham, Maine, sisters-in-law Jane Robb, and Mary Spielman and husband Dennis, nieces Wendy Morrison, Keri Mazzuca, Ames Robb and husband Todd Hill, and nephew David Robb and wife Kristen, and their   respective children, Aunt Janet German and family, cousins in Michigan, and close friend and former colleague Jamie Kellerhouse.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Roxbury Fire Department Ambulance Fund, Roxbury Library Association or the Kirk Gibson Foundation www.kirkgibsonfoundation.org. Gibson is a beloved Detroit Tiger and is also dealing with Parkinson’s. 

Nancy and Jess wish to thank Rick’s many caregivers over the years and their tribes who supported them during this difficult journey. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will feature a dessert buffet honoring Rick’s favorite food group.