From the 1st day he stepped into my life, Rick left an impact on me that would last throughout the course of our 19 year relationship and, I’m certain, much longer. I had the pleasure of spending hundreds, if not thousands, of mornings and afternoons with him. We drank coffee and watched the world unfold from a wobbly corner table. We watched empty lots rise into buildings. We witnessed babies grow into adults. We watched cars go by, parades go by, muni go by, protests go by, nude cyclists go by, and Rick’s favorite: the cable car go by. On days that Rick worked, he would drop by while on his trip “halfway to the stars.” On the days that he didn’t we sat for hours and laughed a lot, told stories, and made countless friends and memories over macchiatos and almond biscotti. The time I spent with Rick shaped me and over time he became my brother and one of the most influential people in my life. Rick’s loyalty was fierce; his family and closest friends were the center of his life. He was a man of such unique and genuine character because he lived a unique life and rose above countless challenges. I’m honored to have been a witness to Rick’s grace and his generosity. While I’m deeply saddened by his passing, I will take some comfort in knowing that he has finally made it all the way to the stars. Rick, your friendship was priceless and I’m fortunate that you became a part of our family over the past two decades.
