Rick Michael Wiselus, also known as “Spider,” a former field service computer technician at NAU, died Aug. 23, 2014, in Flagstaff. He was 59.
Mr. Wiselus was born Oct. 25, 1955, in Milwaukee. He was raised by Dorothy Wiselus, who did her best to raise her family as a single mother. As a child he loved education and enjoyed spending time with his Grandpa Condiff, who influenced him greatly. He had many friends growing up and spent summers on Lake Geneva.
Mr. Wiselus joined the military at the age of 17 after graduating high school and served from 1969 to 1973. It was during his time as an avionics technician in the Marines that he discovered his passion for computer technology. After he was honorably discharged, he earned an associate in arts degree from Maricopa Technical Community College in Phoenix where he also met Claudia, his wife and the mother of their two children, Justin and Josh.
Mr. Wiselus worked at Intel in Phoenix before he and his family moved to Flagstaff in 1986 where he began his 20-plus year career with Northern Arizona University as a field service technician. He also started his own business, Computer Wise, in 1986 to serve northern Arizona.
He was involved with a variety of organizations in the Flagstaff community, spending much of his free time volunteering for Toys for Tots. He loved to travel and enjoyed riding his Harley Road King with his friends and son across the country and to parts of Canada.
Mr. Wiselus was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002.
He is survived by his mother Dorothy; father Pat; sons Justin and Josh; and half-sisters Colleen and Julie. He was preceded in death by his children’s mother, Claudia, and John Wiselus, who helped raise him.
Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 6, at the American Legion, 204 W. Birch Avenue, in Flagstaff followed by a patriot ride to his property at 1 p.m., where there will be a 21-gun salute and celebration of his life.