Ervin Martin "Pink" Rickert, age 88, formerly of Albany, died Thursday May 14, 2025 at his home in Ft. Wayne following a brief illness.  Born in Albany on October 27, 1936, he grew up there and was a 1954 graduate of Albany High School.  He attended Butler University and Ball State University and was a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Ervin was a Metallurgist by trade, working for Warner Gear (Borg Warner), International Harvester, Auburn Gear, and Dana.  After retiring he did consultation work for metallurgy and co-authored a book on the same subject that sits in the Library of Congress to this day.  Pink was a member of the Masonic Lodge, advancing to the Scottish Rite's 32nd degree.  He was a longtime member of Albany United Methodist Church and more recently belonged to Leo Methodist Church in Leo, IN.  He enjoyed reading and taking care of his homeplace.

Survivors include sons: Douglas M. Rickert (wife: Diane), Manchester, MI, and David C. Rickert (wife: Sharlyn), Fort Wayne; 6 grandchildren: William Rickert (wife: Ashley), Roxanne Bush (husband: Michael), Ryan Rickert (wife: Caylee), Madeline Wilson (husband: Josh), Josephine Neff (husband: Dakota), and Tyler Rickert (fiancé: Mallorie Howard); 10 great-grandchildren: Russell, Mabel, Ruby, Frank, Betty, Dorothy, Jack, Lucy Louise, Fiona, and Bexley; several nieces & nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Nancy K. (Peterson) Rickert, who died in 2019, and his parents: William M. & Margaret Louise (Gamester) Rickert.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at Albany United Methodist Church with burial following at Black Cemetery.

Visiting hours are Monday from 12 until 2 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be sent to Albany United Methodist Church or Leo Methodist Church.

The funeral will be streamed online from a link provided on this webpage.