Frederick Meland, 65

Frederick (Ricky) John Meland was born Sept. 16, 1951 in Pierre, SD, the fourth of eight children born to Lawrence and Irene Meland.

At an early age, he suffered a series of seizures which left him severely mentally disabled and unable to mentally mature past the age of four. Due to the progressive, debilitating nature of his condition, he was institutionalized at age seven in Redfield, SD and later in Grafton, ND, Yankton, and Pierre. Ricky also lived in various group homes.

Due to prolonged seizure activity and heart failure, he passed away on Feb. 3 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner, SD at the age of 65.

Ricky had a contagious laugh. Those who had the privilege of spending time with him were often charmed by his humor and unique outlook on life. He was a diehard fan of classic cars and Johnny Cash. His sister Lorene remembers how he laughed for fifteen minutes straight, while dining on burgers and fries at McDonalds, when Johnny’s song “A Boy Named Sue” was mentioned. His brother Ron remembers Ricky bringing snakes into the house and letting them go. Everyone began a frantic search, hoping they were not rattlesnakes.

Ricky made many wonderful friends at Community Connections in Winner and Black Hills Works in Rapid City. Vern from Community Connections remembers fishing with Ricky. Smiling the whole time, Ricky always caught the “big, ugly fish,” as he called the sturgeon. Joan enjoyed Ricky eating all her chocolate chip cookies, getting chocolate everywhere and grinning ear-to-ear when she told him how handsome he was. Ricky found a listening ear in Divina as he told her about home and laughing about his sisters squabbling. He told Amy about his special “Peggy Sue” that he was going to marry someday while singing along to the music on the oldies station. Chandra remembers Ricky watching Matt Dillon on “Gunsmoke” and talking about his dad and siblings. Tim recalls how excited he was for his birthday and having cake and ice cream. “But”, he said to Tim, “If you come, I hope you are going to wear better clothes.”

Gayle from Black Hills Works remembers the challenge that Ricky brought her and how she learned so much from him. Through the healing interaction at BHW’s, Ricky embraced the concept of “turning it around” and developed a heightened self-esteem. He loved to fall asleep to “Delilah”—the popular radio talk show psychologist who people would call with their problems. She had a soothing voice and he loved that all these people were receiving help.