Obituary of Richard "Rick" Kent Hum

   We will truly miss Rick Hum- He was a beloved brother, son, husband, father, and grandfather. Rick passed into Glory surrounded by his family on January 27, 2022. He was 69 years old.

 

Rick was born on April 30, 1952, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska to Richard F. and Jane L. Hum. He was the eldest of 4 children- beloved brother to his three sisters.  As a military brat, Rick had an adventurous childhood, living around the country and the world. 

 

Rick graduated from UC Berkley in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and dreamed of becoming a park ranger. But during his time at Berkley, Rick’s life made an abrupt shift as he gave his life to Christ through Campus Crusade for Christ. He felt called to serve the Lord in ministry and decided to attend Talbot Theological Seminary at Biola University, where he earned a Masters of Divinity in Practical Theology. There he met his sweetheart, Gretchen Stumm. They married in June 1976.   

 

In 1978, Rick was commissioned as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Chaplain.  He spent 30 years at various assignments with Gretchen and their children before retiring in 2008 as a full Colonel, just like his father before him.

 

Rick had many accomplishments in his service to God and Country. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Six Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), and an Air Force Achievement Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster). At the end of his Air Force career, He earned the Legion of Merit upon retirement as the Wing Chaplain, 10^th Air Base Wing, U.S. Air Force Academy. The Legion of Merit is one of the highest awards given to a non-combat officer.

 

After retirement he and Gretchen chose to stay in Colorado Springs. He continued to preach the gospel, serving as an interim pastor for several local churches, including First EFC: Colo Springs, Northview EFC: Colo Springs, Cathedral Rock EFC: Monument, Grace Church: Pagosa Springs, and more recently Whispering Pines Church: Coal Creek Canyon.  He was truly happiest when he was teaching and shepherding the church through God’s Word.

 

He and Gretchen enjoyed retired life, traveling, camping, and spending time with their grandkids. They were able to take many notable trips: two Viking River Cruises in 2015 and 2018, several visits to Quito Ecuador to visit Laura’s family, Turkey, 2014, Greece in 2017,  several Hawaiian excursions, and many other trips – always in pursuit of the best pictures!

 

In Rick’s free time, you would find him editing pictures of their many adventures. Rick has always been an avid and talented photographer and loved to capture special moments. He and Gretchen loved to visit with their friends from Church, the YMCA, and stayed active in the Colorado Springs community. He was always in a pursuit of knowledge and loved learning. But more importantly he loved growing in Christlikeness through God’s Word.

 

Rick will be missed by his wife of 45 years Gretchen, children Laura Rakuljic (Branimir), Brian Hum (Amber), Ashleigh Rudkin (Sam), 8 grandchildren Emma, Logan, Mia, Isaac, Wyatt, Morgan, Hunter, Remi, and his sisters Tiz Lum (Rick), Ginny Barnett (Jim), and Sandie Hum. 

 

In remembrance of Rick, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs https://1freechurch.breezechms.com/give/online.