Rick W. Shannon

Rick W. Shannon, 77, of Moline, Illinois, died Tuesday, August 16, 2022, in Rock Island.

Rick’s family will greet friends at an open house celebrating Rick’s life from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, at Short Hills Country Club, 2500 11th Street, East Moline, Illinois. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with The Rev. Becky David officiating. Private burial is in Moline Memorial Park.

Gifts can be made to the Moline Public Schools Foundation. P.O. Box 1366, Moline, IL 61266.

Rick was born in Moline on November 22, 1944, to K. Wayne and Ruby Mae (Ryan) Shannon. As a child, he contracted Polio. He also sustained a severe spine injury. Even with a few vertebrae fused with plaster, he became a dominant starting pitcher on his Moline High School baseball teams and a member of the basketball team. He graduated in 1962.

Rick credited his counselor, Jack Coder, for turning him away from a life of mischief.

He enrolled at Northern Illinois, where he met his future wife, Patricia. He was an insatiable reader, studying newspapers in minute detail. He would often confidently challenge others to, “Quiz me.” He was also a competitive Scrabble (Words with Friends) player.

Rick married Pat on July 6, 1968, in Chicago. He would go on to obtain a master’s degree from St. Ambrose.

Rick served Moline Schools as an elementary school teacher, a P.E. teacher, a principal, and then briefly as assistant superintendent. He was a coach for Moline’s baseball team and head coach of the American Legion Post 246 baseball team from 1972 – 1976.

In retirement, he spent many winters in Florida to host, and play golf with, lifelong friends.

Rick was preceded in death recently by his wife. After she passed, he had planned to stay in town and was looking forward to attending this season’s basketball games. He was hoping to witness his beloved Maroons go undefeated.

He is survived by two children, son Michael (Jensie) Shannon, daughter Kelly (Andrew) Powell of Moline; his sister Billie (Mike) Allardyce and sister-in-law Eunice (Roger) Scott; three nephews: Robert & Roger Scott Jr. and Steven Ducey; and six grandchildren: Brooke & Micah Shannon and Lauren, Gage, Ryan, & Emery Powell.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.