Robert Rimmer Frickel, born March 4, 1945 in Dallas, Texas passed away Saturday, August 29, 2015 in Bishop, California. Robert was a resident of the Owens Valley for over 40 years. He is survived by wife Gayle Frickel; daughter Jennifer (Frickel) Bellinger, son-in-law Nate Bellinger and granddaughter Arianna Bellinger of Oregon; sister Katharine Larsen of Santa Barbara; brother Charles Frickel of Colorado, as well as many life long friends who he considered his family.
Robert moved to Lone Pine in 1974 and lived there until 2011, when Robert and Gayle moved to Bishop. He was the owner of Lone Pine Mountain Natural Food Store from 1978 until 1986. Robert was an avid hiker, backpacker, skier and cyclist; he was always in and out of his beloved mountains. He was a passionate runner and a co-founder and organizer of the Wild Wild West Marathon. Robert taught special education at Lo-Inyo Elementary School and was the Lone Pine High School ski coach for a number of years.
Robert was a unifying character who shared his life and love with everyone around him. He had a contagious smile and loving presence that attracted people to him.
Donations in memory of Robert can be made to the Bishop Care Center, 151 Pioneer Ln., Bishop, CA 93514, or The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org
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I knew Robert when I lived in Lone Pine back in the late 70s early 80. He was a cool guy who liked to discuss various topics of the time. He was gracious and enjoyed humor. I lived in Lone Pine for about a year from Mammoth and got to know Robert and Gail who was always cool as a cucumber as well as his daughter Jennifer who was just a little girl and many of his other friends. One time he fixed me up with a date with a nice woman that worked in the Nat food store and it was great. He taught me how to run and pace myself. I was introduced to Robert by his buddy, Joe Solar, who I hear still lives there but I have never been able to find a contact.
I went back to where I lived on the old homestead of Roberts in the barn and it was all gone and grown over with weeds. I remember the swimming hole at Manzanar. I remember the girls that I took there and swam naked in the sun. Its incredible how the life changes and time moves on.
I moved away and never saw Robert or anyone else that I knew there again. I live in Juneau Alaska where I made my life, but I will always remember fondly my time in Lone Pine the Owens Valley and my friends that I made there. Good bye Robert. You were a cool dude and I have often thought of you and my Owens and Mammoth friends though out the years.
Brad Cure – Juneau, Alaska