Rick was a great friend. My husband and I visited Rick and Arlene whenever we were in San Diego to see family. He loved his music and he enjoyed hiking. He lived life to the fullest,loved his family and was a sweet kind man. He will be missed
I only knew Rick from being seated alphabetically more or less near him in some classes from seventh grade on. But I was so taken by his profile, and by your lovely photos (both the recent one, and the original American Bandstand look of the Junior Prom), I wanted to send a message months ago. I'm sorry for you and your family that he's gone, but what timing!--after what seems to have been a touchstone milestone reunion all around. I hope it leaves you with more good memories, and the warmth of the special community that our class seems to be.
Rick and I reconnected through Joy and facebook. It has been a pleasure to reconnect and to hear his pride in his wife Arlene and his family. He was a wonderful musican when we were young, but had developed into a fantastic musican and music lover. I'll miss his wonderful photos and positive out look. Hugs to you Arlene.
I lived up the block from Rick as a teenager. I heard him playing one day and introduced myself...(his front door was open). He was really the reason I started playing piano and eventually changed over to Hammond Organ. But at the time, we did not have a piano at home because we had to sell it. I had taken lessons as a child, but did not like the stuff the teacher was trying too make me play. Rick showed me a few things and I played the piano at the church across the street from my house. All through high school I would watch him and learn from him. He was much better than I was, and he was the reason that my interest in playing was rekindled. I always respected him and his abilities all through school.
Rick an I reconnected on Facebook about a year ago and had many things in common even after all the years that had passed. I will miss his dry humor, emails and comments. He was a great guy.
I learned of Rick's passing recently from fellow classmate and dear friend, Doug Cruea. I am deeply saddened by this news. Rick was a genuinely good person, a wonderful musician, and friend. He will certainly be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Let me add my voice and join the chorus, who have already said that Rick was a kind and sweet fellow. He was also fun to be around. Memory can be a trickster, but I think it was in that first semester at Sammamish, that I became his friend. Along with Dick Johnson, we would slip into a piano room and sway in delight as Rick played some boogie. He had that Jerry Lee Lewis rolling left hand down. In the little piano room, there was “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” After a semester, Rick and I drifted apart as we began taking different class and saw less of each other. But for the rest of our time at Sammamish, when we passed by each other in the hallways, there was a warm smile and some brief friendly words. I recalled that time of friendship before my birthday this May, when Rick sent me a message. It was simply, “Happy Birthday Doug. Nice Photo.” It was heartwarming to be remembered by my old friend. Rick will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him. My condolences to his family. Rock on Rick.
Sigrid (Joy) Swanson (McMains)
Rick was a great friend. My husband and I visited Rick and Arlene whenever we were in San Diego to see family. He loved his music and he enjoyed hiking. He lived life to the fullest,loved his family and was a sweet kind man. He will be missed
Joy Swanson McMains
Helene Solheim
Dear Arlene,
I only knew Rick from being seated alphabetically more or less near him in some classes from seventh grade on. But I was so taken by his profile, and by your lovely photos (both the recent one, and the original American Bandstand look of the Junior Prom), I wanted to send a message months ago. I'm sorry for you and your family that he's gone, but what timing!--after what seems to have been a touchstone milestone reunion all around. I hope it leaves you with more good memories, and the warmth of the special community that our class seems to be.
All best wishes,
Helene Solheim
Norma Johnson (DeMerchant)
Rick and I reconnected through Joy and facebook. It has been a pleasure to reconnect and to hear his pride in his wife Arlene and his family. He was a wonderful musican when we were young, but had developed into a fantastic musican and music lover. I'll miss his wonderful photos and positive out look. Hugs to you Arlene.
Norma DeMerchant
Keith Morris
I lived up the block from Rick as a teenager. I heard him playing one day and introduced myself...(his front door was open). He was really the reason I started playing piano and eventually changed over to Hammond Organ. But at the time, we did not have a piano at home because we had to sell it. I had taken lessons as a child, but did not like the stuff the teacher was trying too make me play. Rick showed me a few things and I played the piano at the church across the street from my house. All through high school I would watch him and learn from him. He was much better than I was, and he was the reason that my interest in playing was rekindled. I always respected him and his abilities all through school.
Rick an I reconnected on Facebook about a year ago and had many things in common even after all the years that had passed. I will miss his dry humor, emails and comments. He was a great guy.
Jerry Owen (Owen)
I learned of Rick's passing recently from fellow classmate and dear friend, Doug Cruea. I am deeply saddened by this news. Rick was a genuinely good person, a wonderful musician, and friend. He will certainly be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in Peace, Old Friend,
JerryBear Owen
Douglas Cruea
Let me add my voice and join the chorus, who have already said that Rick was a kind and sweet fellow. He was also fun to be around. Memory can be a trickster, but I think it was in that first semester at Sammamish, that I became his friend. Along with Dick Johnson, we would slip into a piano room and sway in delight as Rick played some boogie. He had that Jerry Lee Lewis rolling left hand down. In the little piano room, there was “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” After a semester, Rick and I drifted apart as we began taking different class and saw less of each other. But for the rest of our time at Sammamish, when we passed by each other in the hallways, there was a warm smile and some brief friendly words. I recalled that time of friendship before my birthday this May, when Rick sent me a message. It was simply, “Happy Birthday Doug. Nice Photo.” It was heartwarming to be remembered by my old friend. Rick will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him. My condolences to his family. Rock on Rick.
Curtis (Gene) Sorensen
I was very sad to hear about. Rick and I were close in school.
We worked together for 3 years at QFC in Lake Hills.
The best part of work was when we got off work: Rick had a "55" Ford stick
I drove a "56" Olds automatic, we raced home. Top end I won.
Rick and I double dated many times. Some cute young lady named "Arlene"
was his favorite. After 49 years of marrage, I guess it was ment to be.
Rick and I talked over the years about car shows,"Hot Summer Nights" in Reno
and meeting in Las Vegas. Unfortuneitly we never meet.
Rick was one of the best.
Gene