Beloved son of the late Neil A. and Barbara Ann (nee Brandt) Fiala; loving brother of Neil S. (Kim) Fiala, Sherry Fiala, James (Elaine) Fiala, Barbara Therese “Terri” (Matthew) Menghini and the late Chris Fiala; adoring uncle of Lori (Scott) Schultz, Leslie (Ian) Urbas, Brandon Fiala, Dr. Mark Aaron (Kellisa) Fiala, Keli (Chris) Riesenbeck, Grant Fiala, Nicholas (Natalie) Menghini, Marcus Menghini, Krista (Greg) Staley, Travis Menghini and Melissa (Thomas) George and the late Lisa Fiala; cherished great-uncle of 13. Our dearest cousin and friend to many.
Rick loved sports and Vianney High School sports in particular. His senior year at Vianney he was a Baseball District All-American in 1976. The following two years he helped Meramec JC make it to the Junior College World Series and was a Junior College All-American his sophomore year. From there he moved on the Southern Illinois – Carbondale and played two years on two good Southern Illinois Baseball teams.
He then taught English at CBC high school and was a freshman football coach and a Varsity baseball coach for many years. He also coached Legion baseball and eventually moved on to coaching in the St. Louis Metro Baseball League. All the while he was still playing baseball for the Sauget Wizards in the Mon-Clair League.
He eventually started officiating high school Football and Basketball. He life took a major turn in October 2007 when after officiating a football game was involved in a car crash that left him partially paralyzed. The recovery was long and slow and he never fully recovered. He was one of the top fans for Vianney sports as he was constantly seen and football, basketball and baseball games. He kept coaching baseball in the Metro League and gave hitting lessons until this past year. He peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 24th.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the Vianney High School scholarship fund.
A memorial visitation will be held at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Sunday, April 26 from 2:00 pm.-5:00 pm. Memorial Mass on Monday, April 27 at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque 4900 Ringer Road 63129 at 10:00 am. Interment at Calvary Cemetery will be held in private.