Richard Walter "Rick" Bartels, 61, of Lynn Haven, FL passed away on Tuesday January 30, 2018. He was born on June 1, 1956 in Fort Lauderdale, FL to Bob Edwin Bartels and Betty Jeanne Devol Bartels. He was a graduate of Ft. Lauderdale High School and then attended Florida State University, graduating with a BS in Biology and Chemistry in 1978. After mentoring with R. W. Lundberg DVM, he attended University of Florida to earn his doctorate in veterinary medicine. In 1986, he moved to Panama City, Florida where he established a private practice, Bayview Veterinary Hospital. Specializing in orthopedic surgery in small animals, he compassionately treated thousands of animals, and their owners, for over 30 years. Rick retired in 2017.

Rick was passionately committed to his children, and immensely proud of the adults they became. His grandchildren were the apple of his eyes. He was loving, committed, steady, trustworthy and always looking to find a teachable moment to instill in them honesty, intelligence and compassion. He valued fun above most things and never missed an opportunity to take his kids on trips, boat rides, beach days, etc. He was devoted, loving and loyal to his soul-mate and fiancé and loved her kids like they were his own.

Rick was a fan of everything FSU, rarely missing a Seminole football game. He was athletic all of his life. An avid runner early on, he also loved swimming, boating, cycling, waterskiing, scuba diving, and spear-fishing. He traveled extensively with his kids and his fiancé, visiting Australia, Israel, Panama, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Italy, France, Switzerland, Jordan, and other countries.

Rick was a committed member of Lynn Haven United Methodist church. He ushered weekly for many years, and recently became involved in congregational care. Rick engaged extensively in community service and philanthropy in the years prior to his death. He served on the board of CARE (Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort), mentored men in prison regularly, and donated to Home for Good, helping to establish transitional housing for prisoners being released from prison. He was strongly committed to other community support groups, mentoring many young men in the community. He lived his life with humility, integrity and accountability.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Bob Edwin Bartels; his mother, Betty Jeanne Devol Bartels, and his brother Robin Edwin Bartels.

He is survived by his fiancée, Susan Balk Kradel; three children, Jenny Michelle Kersey and husband, Christopher Kersey, Richard Ross Bartels, and William Robert Bartels;  brother, William Dean Bartels and wife Sharon Bartels; sister, Julie Bartels Mannheimer and husband, George Mannheimer; grandchildren, Brooks Walter Kersey and Eleanor Elizabeth Kersey, one niece and three nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Lynn Haven United Methodist Church on Tuesday February 6, 2018 at 12 noon. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CARE in Panama City, FL.