Thomas Roy Rickenbach

Thomas Roy Rickenbach, 78, passed away on June 14, 2026, in Dunedin, Florida, surrounded by his loved ones following complications from lymphoma. Tom was born on April 12, 1948, to the late Franklin and Jean Rickenbach in Temple, Pennsylvania. Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, Tom inherited a lifelong passion for sports from his father. His sharp memory was an absolute treasure trove of sports history. As a 12-year-old, he witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Green Bay Packers in the 1960 NFL Championship game. In high school, he and his buddies frequently made the drive to Philadelphia to watch Wilt Chamberlain and the Sixers battle Bill Russell's Boston Celtics.

After graduating from Muhlenberg High School, Tom attended Belknap College in Center Harbor, NH, where he studied business and played on the basketball team. It was during his college years that he met the love of his life, Linda Kate, when they crossed paths at a campus house party. They were married on June 19, 1971, and settled in Linda’s hometown of Hooksett, NH.

Tom began his career with the New England Telephone Company, where he formed deep, lasting friendships with his colleagues. During this time, Tom proudly adopted New England sports as his own. He was a die-hard New England Patriots fan who rarely missed a game, sticking by them through a 1-15 season and celebrating all six of their Super Bowl titles. His passion was unmistakable to anyone who visited; his bathroom was famously a shrine dedicated to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Tom also developed a passion for NASCAR. He was an early season-ticket holder at the track in Loudon, NH, and even traveled to the Daytona 500 to cheer on his favorite driver, the late Dale Earnhardt.

Between 1975 and 1980, Tom and Linda welcomed three sons. Tom took immense joy in watching them grow, always standing on the sidelines to cheer them on. He spent his time coaching his youngest son, Randy, in baseball, playing rounds of golf together, cheering on Ryan in soccer and basketball, and watching Brett run track and cross country.

After his time at the telephone company, Tom worked for International Paper in Manchester, NH, before ultimately retiring from Hitachi Cable Company in Manchester after 22 years of dedicated service.

In retirement, Tom and Linda moved to Hampton Beach, NH, where they had spent many happy summers vacationing with their boys. To escape the New England winters, they began splitting their time in the quiet community of Dunedin, Florida, where they made wonderful friends and enjoyed the warm weather, pool, and beaches. An avid, lifelong golfer, Tom thoroughly enjoyed playing a few rounds a week, cherishing the time spent with his great groups of golfing buddies in both NH and Florida. During the summers, he split his time between Hampton Beach and Newfound Lake, NH, where he could often be found boating or sitting on his bucket fishing on the edge of the river.

Tom will be remembered most for his kindness, his quiet nature, and being a true enthusiast of sports history. Though a man of few words, his mind was an encyclopedia of knowledge. His quiet kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years, Linda; his children, Brett Rickenbach and his wife, Allison, of Auburn, NH, Ryan Rickenbach and his wife, Kelly, of Manchester, NH, and Randy Rickenbach and his wife, Jess, of Goffstown, NH; and his cherished grandchildren, Brady, Ava, and Cole, who brought him endless happiness.

A celebration of life will be held on July 13 from 5-8pm at the Castleton Banquet and Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, NH 03087. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Tom's memory to the Newfound Lake Region Association to help preserve the waters he loved, or simply opening and enjoying a cold can of Coors Light beer in his honor. We love you, Dad.