To share a bit about Rick, here is what I shared at his funeral on 7-17-17:
In the hospital last week, we spent a lot of time sharing Rick stories like the ones you are hearing today. He truly was the best person I know. I joked that I would not have proposed to just anybody. Rick knows that after we married, I struggled with the fact that I never got an official proposal from him. He assured me many times that he had no regrets and we even spoke of renewing our vows this year, the year of our 25th anniversary. It wasn’t until a couple of days ago that I heard him loud and clear when he told me that it was love at first sight for him and that our 27 years together were the best of his life. Thank you Rick for sending me that message.
I’ve never been a good listener. So many times I was only half listening and Rick knew it and tolerated it. In my defense, Rick did take forever to tell a story! Well Rick, I’m listening now and I want you to know that I hear you loud and clear. 7-11-17 are your numbers and will forever be etched in our memory. We know that you intentionally chose 11:17 pm to take your last breath. I hear you laughing about it. You were always clever that way and its why we always called you a smart ass. And yes, you would always say, it’s better than being a dumb ass. If I was into playing the lottery, I know what numbers I would pick. But I have not interest in the lottery as I won the lottery the day we met.
Together with God’s blessing we created two beautiful children. They are our legacy and I promise you that the three of us will always be here for each other and continue to make you proud. We are comforted to know that you are reunited with your dear Grandpa Rictor and your dear stepdad Joe who left us in 2007. I imagine you are getting reacquainted with your father David and making up for 50 lost years. Surely you are sharing your electrocution stories and shaking your heads at the irony. Just don’t try to one up him- his story is more “shocking” than yours! Please tell David that the kids and I are going to take good care of Alice and Dianna for him. You have made that possible.
Rick didn’t like to text and it took him some time to get used to his iPhone. I once texted him for 6 months with no response and thought nothing of it. Eventually I discovered I was texting his old number. After I fixed that, his response rate didn’t improve much. But thats ok. He preferred to talk and he sure had the gift for gab. He loved to tell stories and he would talk to anybody, sometimes embarrassing his kids in the process. Im going to miss hearing your voice Rick. Ive been looking for an old voicemail but can only seem to find pocket calls from you at work. I know you are laughing about that.
Rick was not a huge social media fan like me but he did have a “handle” or tag line if you will. “Maketym” It started with his license plate and was a daily reminder to friends and strangers alike. One of his first boss’ had a license plate that said no time. Rick believed there is always time for what is important. So when he bought his first brand new vehicle, a 1997 Tahoe, he purchased plates that said MakeTym. This was Rick’s philosophy in life and he walked the talk. He always put his family first, financially and with his time, love and attention. When the kids were 5 and 3 he quit his job and took a year to be a stay at home dad. (This was the year 2000 when such a thing was very rare). This was one of the years I worked as a food stamp investigator and he and the kids traveled with me on my business trips. It was the BEST year of our family life. Annika and Erik and I are so fortunate to have this and so MANY other great memories to hold dear. Amazing times in Hawaii, football games, enjoying sushi together, or just being together and laughing…often at the expense of me. There has always been plenty of laughter and because of Rick we are able to keep laughing even in our grief.
Rick was a friend to everyone and he did not hold grudges – even when he had every right to. When he got angry, he said so and then put it out of his head and moved on. I was always amazed by how quickly he could move on. He was also a big worrier and worried about things that made the kids and I roll our eyes. But we know that his worry was steeped in love and concern for us. His love for us was so pure, so deep, so strong, so unconditional. I know that we will always carry that love in our hearts.
Thank you Rick for blessing me and everyone here. I am a better person because of you and I am so proud to have been your wife for 25 years. I will love you forever.
