Every time I thought about pulling this up and writing about Rick, I started crying... still crying, but at least now I can laugh while I am crying. I meet Rick at Brad's in the 70's, a bar where I worked and he was a customer. We quickly became friends and never lost touch over all theses years! I remember one Halloween Night, Steve a friend of ours decided to show up dressed as a woman. The expressions on Rick's face were his classic ones, eye brow raised, rolling his eyes while he tucked in his chin, saying Ahhh Haaa, as he noticed Steve. in a dress that Steve didn't think to wear something under the dress just in case something should rise to the occasion! Of course not only did Rick have us in stitches with his over the top facial expressions, his one liner, is that a banana in your dress? Had us all rolling on the floor. Rick also used his hand to express his feelings about something, when he put in on his hip, this meant he was telling you it was the most important part of the story! Just a delightful story teller, Rick always had everyone's eyes on him when he was saying anything. When Rick decided you were going to be in his life, that was it! We were always friends, but his lovely wife Sandy wasn't so keen on us remaining friends. I didn't call him any more out of respect, but Rick kept calling, telling me he was my friend a long time before Sandy, and would continue to call me. Over the years I even changed my number, but Rick just came to the condo and laughing said, hey you ain't never gonna get rid of me! Just a wonderful human being, with a wonderful sense of humor! I use to just start laughing when he showed up, because I knew Rick's mannerism's would immediately put me in a good mood as I watched them go into action before any words were spoken. One of my favorite times was when he came over to "give me the good news!" He was a father! He had just had a baby girl! I was shocked, you never told me there was a baby on the way, Rick when did this happen! Still proud as could be he showed me his baby girl's picture~ I think at the time his daughter was 10 or 13, not a baby for sure! Rick was so proud of her, and explained he thought he might have a daughter but was not told by the mother. Then all theses years later he was puffed up like a peacock so proud of his new role in life! He took that role serious too. I loved hearing about her and then grandbabies as the years went on. Rick's life was full of love, he never let the ups and downs keep him down. I was in awe how he fought his cancer, with such a spirit of determination, while still making sure those around him were part of this fight including Maggie Mae. I will miss you popping up at my job, or stopping by to see me at home. I can still see your facial expressions so uniquely you with that hand on your hip as you pointed out the facts of whatever story you were telling. Out of all the people I would want to see on arriving in the next life, world, heaven I would like to see you.. making me have an instant smile, and laughing too! I feel really blessed to have had you in my life. A wonderful friend, a kind human being who always had enough love to go around. I am so thankful for your sister and your daughter who were shinning angels during your fight here. You left early, but they say the good die young, and you were the best of the best Rick... God Bless You!