Robert R. Rickner was born September 25, 1938 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Ray Rickner and Stella (Sutton) Rickner. He passed away on October 15, 2023.
He graduated from Norman High School in 1956. He then attended Yale University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1960. Robert later earned his master’s degree of Fine Arts at Boston University. He then continued his education in Hawaii earning his doctorate in Asian Drama. Robert became a Director’s Assistant in New York working with many famous actors. He also spoke several languages including French and German. Robert found spiritual hope in Buddhist practice under many Lamas including his main teacher, Kyabje Kangyur Rinpoche in Darjeeling, India, in the 1970s.
Later Robert studied by the sons of his original teacher: Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, and Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche. He was also close to other great Tibetan masters including Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Robert took monastic vows in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and completed a 3-year meditation retreat during the 1980’s. In 1995, under the direction of Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, Robert founded a meditation group in Norman which continues to this day.
If you were to ask Robert what the highlights of his life were, he would say three things: completing his doctorate; traveling the world in search of God’s presence in Buddhist practice before finding peace in Jesus; and meeting his good friends, Adam, Myranda, and their son John Streets. He even talked Adam into buying a fishing boat and they would often go fishing until the wee hours of the morning.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by the Streets family.
A memorial service was held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church at 4800 E. Franklin Rd, Norman.