Richard "Rick" N. Veit, 71, of St. Petersburg went home to be with his Savior on Sunday, November 6, 2016 with his loving family at his side.

Rick was born in Akron, Ohio on June 25, 1945. He was a boy soprano and was especially known as Little Ricky on the local radio in Ohio before his voice changed. Rick moved to St. Petersburg when he was 10 years old with his parents, Raymond and Bertha Veit. He continued his involvement in singing engagements and musical presentations at the old Million Dollar Pier and various churches in the area.

In 1963, he graduated from Northeast High School where he was a pitcher for the 1962 State Championship baseball team. While attending Northeast High School, he sang with the Gondoliers singing group. Also during his high school years he was very involved with Youth For Christ and sang in the YFC Teen Tones singing group. Following high school, he attended St. Petersburg Junior College, Wheaton College (where he sang with the Wheaton College Men's Glee Club), and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Church Music and Youth Ministry at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois (where he sang with the Moody Chorale). He went on to earn his Master's Degree in Education Administration at the University of South Florida.

Rick served in Christian Education as a teacher and principal for over 20 years where he put the needs of his teachers and students first. Making a difference in the lives of children and their families is the Godly legacy he leaves behind. He loved Jesus, and his priority was sharing that love and the plan of salvation to every student. Only his love for his Savior came before the love for his family....and fishing.
During the time he served as a Christian Educator, Rick also served the Lord by participating in many musical productions, singing solos, duets, quartets, singing in church choirs, directing the congregational singing, and teaching Sunday School at several Churches and Christian Schools in the area.
Rick is survived by his wife, Shiela; son, David (Kristen); daughters, Kerri and Amy; grandsons, Alex, Jake and Grant; brothers-in-law, Dan Lundberg (Joanne), Steve Lundberg (Deb); sister-in-law, Lori Cragle (Mark); and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 19 at Northside Baptist Church, 6000-38th Avenue North, St. Petersburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa. Florida 33607, or http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org .