Longtime Houston resident George Eric “Rick” Ventgen, 61, died from a heart attack Feb. 8, 2008, at work in Prudhoe Bay.

A memorial service was held Feb. 16 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake with a reception following.

Born Aug. 9, 1946, in Santa Cruz, Calif., Ventgen graduated from McKenzie High School in Finn Rock, Ore., in 1965. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1970, including aboard the USCG Cutter Taney off the coast of Vietnam. He followed his parents and moved to Alaska in 1972. He worked in the hotel, restaurant, catering and oilfield services in Alaska for 35 years, including Cook Inlet oil platforms, the Bradley Lake Project and 30 years at North Slope oilfield camps. At the time of his death, Ventgen was an expediter for Peak Oil Field Services in Prudhoe Bay. He achieved promotions and awards throughout his career.

Ventgen was an active outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, motorcycling, four-wheeling and snowmachining. He lived the majority of his Alaska life in his beloved log cabin. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake and always was willing to help with activities, especially helping church youth put on their annual summer yard sale and car wash.

Ventgen considered the men and women of Peak, together with other people he worked with during his 30 years on the North Slope, as his second/other family.

His family sends its heartfelt thanks to the men and women of Peak Oil Field Services, and those from other companies, especially the emergency medical personnel, for all their efforts, help, compassion and assistance during this time.

Ventgen is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Walter “Kim” and Wanda Ventgen, Randy and Terry Ventgen; brothers Ron Ventgen and Pat Ventgen; sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Mark Hale; sister-in-law Pam Ventgen; nieces Melissa Combs, Tori and Ashley Hale and Laura Ventgen; and great-nieces Hannah and Haylee Combs.

The family requests in lieu of flowers and following Ventgen’s longtime giving to the United Way that donations be made to the United Way.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home.