Richard "Rick" Lee Nye

Richard "Rick" Lee Nye, 54, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Martha Hamilton Bridgman Nye passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2017. The family will receive friends Saturday February 4, 2016 in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. His Funeral Service will be held Sunday February 5, 2016 in John Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Hwy at 3:00p.m. Interment will be held Monday February 6, 2016 in Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC at 12:00 p.m.

He had been born in Georgetown, Texas, on 03/19/62, an only son of a good parents and grandparents who held positions such as District Engineer for the Texas State Hwy Dept., Architectural Engineer for CRSS, educators, and administrators.Rick had a good childhood. The family built a house on a lake, where Rick learned many skills. Camping, boating, fishing, and traveling were common summer activities, a lifestyle he brought later to his own family. Rick was a good student, playing high-school football and helping win the District Championship.

Rick's father, Eric, loved classical music, and Rick taught Rick to love it as well, becoming an all-state bassoonist and also playing oboe and English horn. He had the honor of playing with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Rick's mom, Marie, was always supportive as Cub Scout den mother and other roles. He adored her.

Rick served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years as an Avionics Technician, receiving an honorable discharge, a Good Conduct Medal, and many Letters of Commendation. He deployed with VMFA 311, VMFA 214, and Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13, serving in Grenada.While stationed in Southern California, Rick volunteered as a tour guide at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. He gave nature tours for all ages, mainly inner-city school-aged children who had never seen nature before. What a joy it was for him to show them for the first time the marvels of our world. He was recognized as an outstanding volunteer.

In 1998, Rick met his wife Martha, falling in love at first sight while working together at merging sugar companies. When he saw her, he had to find out more about who she was! Asking around the office, he found she was a very good worker, which sounded like a good start. He stayed happily married to her for the rest of his life, and was a dedicated, faithful husband. She was the light of his life, and they loved each other deeply. She gave him the two most preciouses gifts a man can ever receive: children and the care and rearing of them.

Rick had always loved aviation, and in 1996, he earned his private pilot's license. Soaring through the sky with the technical challenge of piloting a plane was exhilarating to him. His father was so proud when Rick took him up. Rick also loved motorcycles, boats, trucks -- things that go. A true Pisces, he also loved the sea, and in 2000, he earned his USCG Captain's license. He and Martha raised their kids with an outdoorsy lifestyle.

Rick was an engaged father. His firstborn, Eric, is a well-adjusted 16-year-old who is currently a Life Scout and soon will achieve Eagle Scout. He is doing well in school, has a new truck, plays 3 sports, and is entering into a new phase of independence. Rachel, his baby girl, was his heart, a well-adjusted, beautiful, and caring person, 14 years old, who also does well in school and participates in athletics. Rick felt she had so much more to see and give -- his butterfly sprit child.

Rick's professional life was spent in Information Technology. He was brilliant and highly accredited with many professional certifications such as CISSP, Security+, CSSM, and JICP. He was a qualified technical training instructor and business owner, owning a school with Martha. Rick also worked for employers such as Centurum, Hewlett Packard (then Compaq), and Goodman Manufacturing. He also acted as an adjunct professor for TTC and OCTC, where he established computer networking certification programs.

Rick was active at John Wesley United Methodist Church. He had taught Sunday school since 2002 and enjoyed the embracing love of his Sunday school class.He had served in many leadership positions in the Boy Scouts over 10 years, and had achieved the rank of Baloo. He volunteered at the VA, Star Gospel Mission, Charleston Miracle League, and Charles Towne Landing's ornithology program. Rick was very happy about his family's move to Charleston and the purchase of land at Edisto Island, and grateful for all that had been given in his life.