Richard (Rick) Voke, 74, of Muncie, passed away peacefully Sunday morning with his daughters
by his side following a brief, but brave battle with Merkel Cell Cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Cora Voke.

Rick is survived by two daughters who thought he hung the moon. They are Maria Kristiansen
and her husband, Lars, and sons Luca and Silas, of Esbjerg, Denmark; and Katie O'Leary and her
husband, Tim, and sons Ryder and Asher of Newburyport, Mass. The boys were their grandpa's
true pride and joy.

Rick was the youngest of three ornery brothers. Randy, and his wife, Linda, of The Villages, Fla.,
and Mike, and his wife, Jenney, of Muncie, survive. Rick spent many weekends with his
brothers,  watching sports, and doing what brothers do - joking around. He also is survived by
many treasured nieces and nephews.

Born on the south side of Muncie, Rick loved to recall his childhood and neighborhood
shenanigans. He graduated from Southside High School in 1967, then Ball State University
Teacher's College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1973 and then a master's degree in
1976.

For 38 years, he taught in the Industrial Technology Department (formerly shop classes) at
Delta Middle School, where he earned the nickname "Papa Smurf" due to his stature, thick
beard, and general cozy demeanor. He valued his colleagues and kept in contact with many of
them until the very end.

Rick was an avid sports fan, with a particular passion for I.U. basketball, the Chicago Bears, and
Indy Car races. For years, he attended the Indy 500 and numerous stock car races. Some of his
favorite activities were camping and hiking, particularly with Katie in Acadia National Park and
in the White Mountains. Rick also visited Denmark on several occasions where Maria and her
family live. Rick and Maria took a trip to Italy where he ate the best lasagna he's ever tasted.

In recent years, Rick, his daughters, and grandchildren spent time in Florida together, splashing
in the pool and taking lots of walks.

A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Garden View Funeral Home & Gardens of Memory
Cemetery. Visitation is 11 a.m. until the service time. The family asks in lieu of flowers, make a
donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie.