Richard Leigh Railsback

Our beloved dad, Richard “Dick” Leigh Railsback, 75, of Boise, Idaho, passed away in the comfort of his home on June 30, 2021. He was born on March 19, 1946, to Leigh M. “Bud” and Sally (Connor) Railsback, in Pasadena, California, where he was raised alongside his twin sister, Nancy.

Pasadena was where dad was first introduced to the pole vault, which became a lifelong passion. He learned the earliest of his basics by vaulting into his parents’ swimming pool. This was just the beginning of a career in a sport which defined much of his life. He competed for Pasadena High School, Pasadena City College, UCLA and the United States in track and field, excelling particularly in the pole vault where he cleared a lifetime best of 17’8.75” and ranked as high as fifth in the world.

Dad was inducted into the U.S. Pole Vault Hall of Fame in 2018, after a career which included two U.S. National Champion titles in the pole vault (outdoors in 1968 and indoors in 1971), five All-American honors and seven U.S. National Team appearances. After his time as an athlete, he spent over 55 years coaching at the youth, high school, collegiate, national and olympic levels.

On August 15, 1970, Dick married Karin Annika Rohlen in Gavle, Sweden. They spent nearly a decade traveling and living around the world together before settling down in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they raised their daughter, Michelle, and son, Michael.

Dad was such a loving and devoted father who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially doing the simple things like playing in the backyard, hosting campfires (which always featured a guitar appearance) and traveling to Sweden to spend time at the family summer home.

Dad was so passionate about his kids and supported us in any endeavor we chose. Luckily, we both loved and excelled in track and field, creating many priceless memories of competitions, training, travel and teamwork. He further supported Mike and his battle with juvenile diabetes by cycling in many 100-mile rides throughout the country to raise money for JDRF. With Michelle, he shared the love of pole vaulting and created a generational bond through the sport.

He loved nature and treasured times spent with friends and family fishing, golfing, biking or traveling. Throughout his life, dad loved music and playing his guitars. In his most recent years, he spent countless hours jamming (as he called it), singing and playing the guitar as loud as he pleased. He also enjoyed performing and creating friendships through music.

Interests aside, dad was a fiercely loyal, honest, giving, caring and devoted person. He cherished all the friendships made throughout his life and loved to tell stories of those friendships and adventures. If you’ve met dad, you know he loved storytelling.

Most of all, dad loved his kids and being part of our lives. He was recently able to travel to visit Mike and his family, meeting his grandson, Barrett, for the first time while also creating lasting memories with his granddaughter, Piper. In Boise, he lived near Michelle and her family, where they spent lots of time together in his final years. He loved being able to watch his granddaughters, Riley and Chloe, grow and he especially enjoyed hosting monthly sleepovers with his Riley-roo.

Dick is survived by his children, Michelle (Jesse) and Michael (Sarah), his four beautiful grandchildren, Riley, Piper, Chloe and Barrett, his ex-wife Annika, and many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leigh and Sally, and his sister, Nancy.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations go to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Celebration of Life - Nebraska Event

Tuesday, August 17, 5 to 8 p.m.

Capitol View Winery, Roca, Nebraska

Celebration of Life - Idaho Event

Saturday, August 21, 11 a.m. 

Stacy Dragila Sports Complex, Garden City, Idaho