A 26-year-old Santa Clarita Valley resident and Marine was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash last month on Ortega Highway in an Orange County.
Cpl. Richard Raymond Nordland’s Obituary, written by his aunt, Fashia Skjelstad:
Feb. 25, 1990 – Sept. 23, 2016
Ricky grew up in Santa Clarita Valley. He attended Valley View Elementary school from Kindergarten through Sixth grade, went on to La Mesa Jr. High for 7th grade and then Sierra Vista in 8th grade. He attended Vasquez high school for 9-10-11 grade before returning to Canyon Country where he attended Canyon High School then graduated from Bowman in 2008.
An all American athlete, Ricky participated in youth sports through the Santa Clarita Valley Seasons youth sports programs and competitive leagues. He participated in soccer, basketball, karate and t-ball through the SCV youth sports programs. He played baseball at Canyon Country Little League and at William S. Hart League. He participated in pop warner football through the Canyon Country Athletic Association (CCAA) for 4 years, and continued to play in High School.
When he wasn’t on a field with a ball in his hand, Ricky could be found in karate classes or riding his dirt bike. Ricky enjoyed racing BMX from a young age which led to his passion of dirt bikes.
Ricky joined the Marines in 2013 where he served in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. In June, he returned from deployment in Okinawa. He was stationed at Camp Pendelton, Ca where he recently was promoted to Corporal and accepted an offer to reenlist.
Ricky had a positive attitude that reflected in all who encountered him. He had a passion for adventure and his motto in life was “never give up”. He always had a smile and was there to offer help for a friend in need. Coaches, teachers, friends and fellow Marines all echo that Ricky was a natural leader and always there to lift your spirits and help to motivate you to succeed.
Ricky is survived by his son Joseph, parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. He has been laid to rest at Eternal Valley Cemetery in Newhall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Santa Clarita Opportunity for a Recreational Experience (S.C.O.R.E.) program that provides financial scholarships for local children to participate in athletic programs. To donate to SCORE, please make checks payable to the City of Santa Clarita, and write SCORE in the memo line.
Donations can be mailed to:
Cynthia Victor, Recreation & Community Services Supervisor
City of Santa Clarita
20880 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
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50 Comments
Victoria Mitchell Valenzuela Tiffany Mitchell
So heartbreaking! Such a great guy with so much to give. We will always remember and honor you Ricky! Miss you so much! ❤️??
He was a great guy. Made us all laugh often and made us so proud.
Christine Garrison-Logan Fashia Skjelstad Cali Bridenstine Norah Porter
Thanks for tagging me Kimberly Cappiello
Fashia,
My condolences to you and your family.
Thank you Ruth. His tragic accident is a loss to the entire community.
Thanks Kimberly Kimberly Cappiello
Heaven received another angel. Miss you Ricky . Hope your loving Paradise, we here on earth miss you so much.
So sad ??
R.I.P. brother
Semper Fi ?
Rest in paradise Ricky
RIP.
So sorry to hear of the loss of this fine young man. Condolences to all his loved ones and sorry his son lost his daddy so early.
my son was an amazing man..the greatest son a man could be blessed with..a great marine..and if given the chance,he would have been the absolute best father joseph could of had…please,im begging you tim ,jen,and tiff….tell him who his daddy was
So sad, ?? condolences to his family & friends.
??RIP
I was at this memorial and funeral. It was so moving. This young man was loved by many and will be missed
Thank you son for you service and gods blessing on your new tour. Please keep watching over our country at this time.
Solider from heaven.
Fashia Skjelstad
Thanks for the tag Jeff Selph!
We miss you Ricky ❤️
Loueenia Skjelstad Norene Theis Nathan Trott Jasmine Rose Tiffany Mitchell Matthew Mitchell Victoria Mitchell Valenzuela Scott Goff Christine Garrison-Logan Felicia McLaughlin Renee Branson Underwood Anthony Blair Zack Little Isaac Bell Joseph Wallis Cotye Bowker Austin Porter AJ Taylor Mercer Jina Younan-youpania Lazar Sara Sara Tara Gardner Gerald C Skjelstad Tyler Culp Tyler Theis Spencer Woods
Still can’t believe it
Isaac Bell just now getting the word out back home. Thinking of you every day. Thank you for the kind words you shared about Ricky!
Thank you for letting me be apart of his life
Thank you for letting all of us be part of yours!
Such a tragedy.
:(
Our love for Rick Nordland will never falter. His memory will never dim. His love will never die. We will always remember him as the bright young vivacious motivating guy he was. And oh so lovable and funny. I love you Ricky boy! ❤️❤️❤️.
RIP
We miss you brother. Rest In Peace Ricky
How sad….RIP
This breaks my heart Fash…my nephew will be gone 1 year on Dec. 3, 2016. It still hurts like hell! I’m sorry my friend.
I’m sorry for your loss Lisa Klein. I can’t believe its almost been a year…
Does it ever get easier?
Lisa Klein I am sorry for your loss. I know how difficult that was for you. I can’t believe its almost been a year since he passed!
Its heart wrenching, does it ever get easier?
Not really?
? God bless comfort his family
heaven has gained another angel. We here on earth miss you so much Ricky. Our memories together, laughter, love, tears are what is keeping me going. I love you angel baby.
:(
This is heartbreaking . Thank you for your service.
Rest in peace brother! Semper fi!!!
Will never forget you Ricky! ?
I remember I was so jealous of you going there… Miss you every day brother!!!
This is my favorite picture of him. He was so excited about the opportunity to go to Iwo Jima.
Fashia Skjelstad he defiantly deserves it
So sad ?
RIP, Ricky.
I didn’t know you as well as the rest of the family, but you were always so sweet to me.
Your Grandfather Larry Trott (My Step-father), and I miss you so much.
for those of you who don’t know, Larry got Ricky’s name put up on the memorial wall at the cemetery.