Richard S. Pike, 80, of Vero Beach, FL died Sunday, May 24, 2009 in Waycross, GA. A fifth generation Floridian,
Mr. Pike was born August 22, 1928 in Fort Myers, FL and moved to Vero Beach in 1958 from Gainesville, FL.
He received his Master Degree in Agriculture in the University of Florida and was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the US Army with the rank of Captain. He was a pioneer in the Citrus industry, developing the Flat Woods Planting Technique, and had been a Citrus Production Manager for numerous groves in Saint Lucie County. Mr. Pike was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Vero Beach where he had served as a Sunday School Teacher and many times served as President of the Voters Assembly.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Janice A. Pike of Vero Beach; son Andy Pike of Vero Beach; granddaughters Jennifer Scholler of Memphis, TN and Kristen Pike of Jacksonville, FL.
Services: The family will receive friends 1:30 - 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 27 at Grace Lutheran Church in Vero Beach with a celebration of his life beginning at 2 PM at the church. Interment will be at Crestlawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1150 41st Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960.