CONCORD, N.C. - Racing legend and Wisconsin Rapids native Dick Trickle took his own life Thursday, and his brother believes he knows why. Chuck Trickle told ESPN Friday that his brother had been experiencing pain under his left breast. Dick Trickle had been seeing doctors at Duke University for tests and pain therapy, often twice a day.
Friends and family apparently didn’t know how bad Trickles’ pain was. Chuck said his brother told him in a phone call last week, "I don't know how much longer I can put up with this.” Trickle left a note behind, but the message has not been made public.
NASCAR driver Mark Martin said Trickle wasn’t someone who would let people see that he was down. That may explain why even his family didn’t know how bad the pain had become. Martin says, "He raced us real hard on the racetrack, but off the racetrack he was very free with parts or advice. He gave freely. Really, really good dude." NASCAR driver and Cambridge, Wisconsin native Matt Kenseth was also shocked by Trickle’s death, saying it’s the end of an era for Wisconsin short track racing.
Dick Trickle was found dead at Forest Lawn Cemetery not far from his home. It is where his granddaughter Nicole Ann Bowman was buried in 2001. He is survived by his wife Darlene and three children, Vicky, Tod and Chad. A private service is scheduled for Monday.