Family starts scholarship to honor their fallen son Chris Rickman died trying to save neighbors from a fire last year

Family starts scholarship

to honor their fallen son

Chris Rickman died trying to save neighbors from a fire last year

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By Brandi Bottalico

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Jack Rickman still smells the smoke from the fire that took his son's life last February.

"It just brings it back," Rickman said Thursday in his Brooklyn Park home.

Across the street, the parsonage that was destroyed in the fire is being rebuilt, reminding the family of when Christopher Rickman, Jack's son, ran into the burning building to try to save two neighbors. He and the neighbors were killed.

The Rickman family is hosting a bull roast Feb. 13 at Beefalo Bob's on Fort Smallwood Road to benefit the Christopher Rickman Scholarship Fund that will send a student to Maven Academy, a private school in Annapolis.

The event, which they hope raises $2,500, will be held three days after the anniversary of the fatal fire. The proceeds will be in addition to $1,000 the family plans to contribute.

A few months after the fire, the family attended Maven Academy for its "hero day," in which students honor someone they believe is a hero. Many students chose Rickman as their hero.

On the morning of Feb. 10, Rickman heard a noise that sounded like an explosion. He ran outside to see the house across the street on fire.

Residents Samuel, Lettitia and Joseph Sinnah made it out of the home. But 17-year-old Sundima Sinnah did not. Lettitia, the teen's mother, ran back inside to try to retrieve him.

Rickman, who was 45, ran into the burning two-story house after her. He tried to save them both.

All three perished in the blaze, making them three of the 12 people to die in house fires last year in Anne Arundel County. Samuel Sinnah, pastor of the nearby United Brethren in Christ Church, and Joseph, his other son, survived.

On Thursday, Jack Rickman showed a picture from his iPhone of a poster the Maven Academy students made for his son. The family said they hope Christopher's legacy will live on through his story of selflessness.

Patty Rickman, Christopher's sister, was thinking of ways to honor him. She realized a scholarship to the school would be fitting.

"I could think of nothing better," Patty Rickman said

As for the fundraising event at Beefalo Bob's, it didn't hurt that "my brother loved their barbecue," she said

The restaurant catered Rickman's wake, "going beyond" to help the family, she said.

"They just said 'We don't want you to worry,'" Patty said.

The family is hoping to sell out the fundraiser at 225 tickets, with all proceeds going to the fund. Each ticket is $40. The event will have a silent auction, raffle, karaoke, food and drinks.

Christopher was a Brooklyn Park High School graduate. He also coached baseball.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission will be voting this spring on whether Christopher will receive a Carnegie Medal to honor his actions. His two sons would accept the medal that recognizes outstanding acts of selfless heroism performed in the U.S. and Canada.

Joshua, one of Christopher's sons, is expecting to have a baby girl in June.

"Chris is going to be a grandfather," his mother, Rosemary Rickman, said.

Many pictures of Christopher lined the tables and wall in the Rickman home Thursday night, including an oil painting Jack got for Rosemary on Mother's Day. But Jack said his favorite picture of Christopher is of his driver's license.

"It's just him."

Patty chimed in that it's Jack's favorite because it shows the "Rickman grin."

"If my brother were here, he'd say that's how I get all the chicks," she said laughing.

Meanwhile, across the street, the base of the parsonage has been constructed and the clergy are waiting for the insurance company to have the rest completed, according to church officials.

For more information on tickets for the bull roast, go to http:// info04056.wix.com/chrisrickman#!bull-roast/c6kj. To donate money to the fund, send a check directly to the Maven Academy in care of the Christopher Rickman Scholarship Fund.

Twitter.com/brandibot

Family of man killed in fire last year starts scholarship fund

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