On September 23, 2006, the hot-rod community lost one of its own. Rick was known for his incredible hot-rod art and lifestyle apparel, but more importantly for being a great person who cared for others. Rick was a giver, never a taker, and a guy with dignity, love, and appreciation for others. He was an artist and a very creative writer and poet. He was preparing for another custom car show, Cruise For A Cure, at the Orange County Fairgrounds, in Costa Mesa, California, where he was going to display his Hot Rod Life artwork and apparel. Ironically, he was taken from this world while preparing for another hot-rod show. Rick was survived by: ex-wife Robin, mother Priscilla, brothers Mike and Steve, sisters Karen and Stephanie, nieces Kim and Kristi, and nephews Mark and Preston. Rick never had children, but he cherished his little nephew, Mark, now 12 years old, to the point that he willed his custom '47 Chevy Fleetline and a '53 Ford Panel truck to him.
I will greatly miss my beloved friend, Rick, who was the brother I never had. He had a curious smile, a great sense of humor, a loud voice, and was never shy to voice his opinion. Rick was a rebel with a cause. He lived life at full throttle with no intentions of ever lifting. Every time I roll on a cruise, I know my buddy is riding shotgun with me for every mile.