Richard "Rick" Packer, of Hornell, NY, was born on May 29, 1941, in Bath, NY, and passed away on June 19, 2026. Rick lived a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and a deep love for the people and community around him.

Rick proudly served his country in the National Guard, joining in 1964 and serving until 1969. Shortly after, he began what became a lifelong passion: working on the railroad. For more than 30 years, Rick held many roles on the railroad, but his favorite by far was his time as a bridge inspector. He loved everything about the railroad and never tired of sharing stories from his days out on the lines. His career was cut short when he was forced into early retirement after being diagnosed with Graves' disease, but the pride he carried for his work never faded. Rick was also a weather spotter for the National Weather Service since 2011.

After a biking accident, Rick began volunteering at the Hornell Gardens, where he continued to help and stay active until 2012. He also spent many meaningful hours volunteering at the Hornell Erie Depot Museum, a place where he met wonderful people who shared his passion for the railroad. Rick loved connecting with others who understood the history, the stories, and the pride of the rails, and he cherished every conversation.

Rick was a man of many hats. He dedicated countless years to the Babe Ruth Baseball League, working his way up from coach to commissioner. Teaching young boys the game he loved brought him joy, and he often reminisced about the players, the seasons, and the memories made on those fields.

In his later years, Rick found peace and purpose in gardening. He especially loved growing sunflowers, and he gave away much of the produce he grew. Even if you didn't know Rick personally, you likely knew his home, affectionately recognized as "the sunflower house" or "the red, white, and blue house."

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Myrtle Packer. Though he never married or had children of his own, Rick built a family through friendship. Two people in particular held a special place in his heart: Nichole Barkley and her family, who cared for him for 11 years, and Stacy Mead and her boys, who were always there when he needed a hand. Rick could often be found standing around Kwik Fill talking with Stacy, or walking and biking through Hornell, at least until Pulmonary Fibrosis, diagnosed in 2023, made breathing difficult and forced him to slow down. The disease eventually required him to use oxygen daily, limiting his independence and taking away another thing he loved: attending 5K races, which he went to whenever he could.

Despite the challenges of his final years, Rick's spirit remained strong. He will be deeply missed by every person fortunate enough to be welcomed into his life, and by the few who truly shared life with him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hornell Erie Depot Museum at 111 Loder Street, Hornell, NY 14843.

Calling hours will be on Thursday (June 25, 2026) from 11am-1pm at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home 354 Canisteo Street in Hornell. Burial will be at Rural Cemetery.

To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.