Rick Robert Tenhundfeld Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Rick Tenhundfeld, age 61 years, passed away at University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, January 26, 2021. Beloved husband of Cheryl Seals Tenhundfeld for 38 years. Dear father of Robert James and Brianna Elise Tenhundfeld. Devoted brother of Christy (Dennis) Meyer and Den (Sandra) Tenhundfeld. Son of the late Albert R. and Ruth J. (nee Otte) Tenhundfeld and son in law of Rose Marian Seals and the late James Seals. Dear brother in law of Sandra (Thomas) Coby and the late James A. and Gregory S. Seals. Loving uncle of Matthew (Teresa) Meyer, Anna and Topher Tenhundfeld; Halie and Kayla Coby, Kelly Seals and Lauren Kawaja. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1553 Kinney Avenue, (45231). Visitation will be held at Neidhard Young Funeral Home, 7401 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy on Saturday May 15, 2021 from 1 PM until time of Memorial Service at 4 PM. To join Rick's Memorial Service virtually, please click on to the following link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/54107 My Brother We all have to deal with the untimely death of a loved one; be-it grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, spouse or even a friend, but not until you have to say goodbye to a sibling does one really look at mortality and realize nothing in life is guaranteed. There never seems to be enough time to spend with the ones you love! This is a very difficult speech for me to write, yet I’m honored. I realize that this Eulogy is a final send off for my brother Rick. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in 53 years of life and this situation is like no other. For the first time in my life I have to do this on my own because Rick isn’t here to guide or give me advise. You see, while most can talk about their sibling and talk about the fun times growing up and how funny they were, our story is a little different. We had many years of fun times but My brother was so much more than just a brother to me. Yes, foremost he was my brother, but also my hero who could do anything with success and made it seem so easy and possible to achieve. How I always wanted to be like Rick. But to me, most of all, Rick was a fantastic father figure, which I truly admired! In 1980 our family was dealt a blow when we lost our father to cancer. Over night Rick went from being a 21 year old college student with many life success stories to write, to being a father of a lost 13 year old boy who was dealing with all his own uncharted hormonal paths. Boy did he have his work cut out for him, but he never seemed to back away from a challenge. No one had more ethics and family integrity than my brother, I guess our dad taught him well for a reason. Even though we had our brotherly moments, he was always my biggest supporter and encouraged me to be the best. I always knew he would make a great dad one day! Robby and Brianna, you can thank me for wearing him down for you both. Rick was never a mushy, lovey, huggy kind of guy, except maybe with a select few special ladies in his life. But with me, his love came in the form of teaching me his strengths and knowledge of things he learned from our dad and trying to instill or beat them in me even if I didn’t think I needed them. Whether it was car repairs, home repairs, electrical or plumbing issues, Ricks motto was “There’s nothing that can’t be fixed”, and of course his favorite, “If you’re going to do it, do it right the first time”. I’ve tried to follow Ricks motto throughout my life and I can say it usually worked but for whatever reason this was something he or I could not fix, although we tried. As I sit and ponder life and why things happen, I have the realization that when our dad passed away I was a lost and confused 13 year old boy looking for answers to life. Now 40 years later and although I’m just a little wiser, I’ve returned to that time in my past where a lost 13 year old boy is losing his father for a second time and still feeling the same hurt and answers of life. On a bright note I could say I’m forever young at 13 with 40 years experience. I owe all my strength and abilities to become stronger because of what Rick instilled in me. Looking around we see him every where from his home to his work, or any project he had his hand involved in, but mostly we see it in his family. I’m sure Mom and Dad greeted him with open arms and congratulated him on all his accomplishments in his life! To my brother Rick, thank you for always putting your family first. Stepping up to help Mom, Grandma, Christy and mostly Me! You carried a huge burden on your shoulders without complaint (well, not to me at least, maybe your friends could say differently) and you never wanted anything in return except for us to always do our best and to do what’s right. Who knows what negativity our lives could’ve seen had you not stepped up to the plate leading the way. Thank you for working hard to provide and instilling the same values, pride and love with your Wife, Cheri and onto your children, Robby and Brianna. You created a family bond that can never be broken and will always remain in our hearts! I remember a birthday card you were given many years ago, probably from me. Some might say it was cruel but that’s how we were. It said, “ when you were born the angels got together and they broke the mold....and then beat the shit out of the mold maker”. While we laughed at the time I can truly say There is no other like you and yes the mold was broke. As hard as I would try, I could never match you and your capabilities and that’s ok! I do however promise to always follow your lead and be there for your family as you were for me and ours growing up! Until we meet again.... I love you Your baby brother Den

Rick Robert Tenhundfeld

September 8, 1959 - January 26, 2021

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