On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Rick Kolb, caring father, passed away at the age of 66.
Rick was born March 8, 1954. He was the son of Jewell and WH Kolb, also known as “Kolb”. He
attended Raton Public Schools, NM Military Institute, and New Mexico State University. Rick left NMSU
to come back to Raton to help Jewell and Kolb run Kolb Oil Co, which was started by his grandfather in
the 1930s.
In 1988, Rick went to Las Vegas Nevada for a Texaco convention where he entered and won a drawing
for start-up monies to build a new Texaco station. He immediately started planning the Texaco Truck
Stop on the Clayton highway. Rick was a very successful businessman and continued to build Kolb Oil
Company until his retirement in 2005.
In the mid-80s, Rick took his first hot balloon ride and was immediately hooked. He received his hot air
balloon pilot’s license and flew the Raton skies on numerous occasions. Rick was an avid golfer and
loved spending time with his good friends at the Raton golf course. This same group of friends spent
many hours competing, arguing, and laughing over a fantasy football league. Rick was a hardcore
Denver Broncos fan and spent many game days in the stands hollering for his Bronco team.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents Jewell and Kolb and he is survived by his children Alex Kolb
and Mackenzi Kolb; his granddaughters Alexia Kolb and Braelynn Gregory; his sister Meredith Cole and
nephews Brian and Keith Hendershot.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Raton Elks Lodge #865, Raton Municipal Golf Course, or the
Raton VFW.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Rick on Wednesday, October 14th from 1 to 4 pm at 1224 S. 6th St in Raton.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
