I've known Rick since 8th grade. He was the kind of guy that everyone wished they could be, whether it was in his early youth or later in his youth at 39. Men like Rick don't come around very often. Self assured, handsome, lean, cool, dashing, friendly, a best friend to more people than any of us probably know, intelligent, caring, inquisitive, athletic, and many of his positive traits were contagious. He brought out the best in everyone who knew him. I enjoyed every moment I spent with him, although there were too few.

A certain testament to the kind of magnetism that Rick possessed was evidenced back when we were just lads. Rick and Ger had ridden their snowmobiles from Albert Lea out to my place in Clarks Grove, (about an 8 mile ride). When they showed up I went immediately outside neglecting to take the time to put on shoes and a coat for fear of them leaving if it took me too long to get outside. Yes it was cold out there, but I remained outside until they left.

I'd like to think that God was tired of waiting for Rick, but I wish he had been more patient. This world needs more people like Rick and I will be doing my best to join Ger and others in trying to be a better person to make up for the positive energy that has been lost.

Rick and I shared a lot of common interests. One of them was stained glass. When we were house mates on S. Colfax we shared the cost of a glass grinder and spent many hours in our shop grinding the night away. He became an expert and I, well I pursued other disciplines. We also shared an interest in woodworking although we were never able to practice our art together. One of our recurring conversations was about woodworking tools and who's "tools" were better. Joan, my wife, enjoyed these conversations. Joan and Rick had a very special relationship...... They always enjoyed a very sordid, albeit imaginary, affair. It was always in good fun and provided me and others with many good chuckles. One of the last exchanges they had was when he was looking at the plans for our new house. When he saw the Garden Tub in the master bath, he asked Joan in his usual "I'm pretending to say this so Rando can't hear me" voice, "So, when is Rand's next business trip?" A typically funny quip that Rick excelled at so well.