Dear Ones, I was a friend of Rick's in High School. We spent a lot of time working on "Our Place", a coffee house downtown and we were mostly behind the scenes on theater productions. We even went to homecoming our senior year because we had no else to go with. We had a great time! I know he faced many challenges in his life, often feeling an outsider. I hope that in his life he was able to be comfortable in his own skin, and grow into his best, most capable self. At a reunion many years ago, he seemed to be doing well professionally and had come through a health scare, which required some rehab. We had an enjoyable chat catching up on our lives. I am grateful to have had that chance. May peace surround your family at this difficult time. Rick will be remembered by many.

Jacqueline Burnett
January 22, 2021

Dear Family, Rick was my savior in the Linn-Mar Theater Dept in the early 1970's as he performed as an unpaid professional designing & constructing sets. He engineered solid, detailed sets which were the envy of the Cedar Rapids Community School Theater Departments. He delighted and was idolized by the crew members whom he supervised. --- -- Leon Lueck, Linn-Mar Theater Director (1970-75)

Leon Lueck
January 27, 2021

Bill and Audrey and the Thompson family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. As you know Rick was one of Jim's closest friends in high school and college, sharing his love of theatre and their many "adventures" together at Linn-Mar. Jim still remembers they first day he met Rick, at the Marion theatre summer matinee movies. Rick was a very caring person, always willing to lend his expertise and construction skills to any project. And he was always up for a good practical joke. He also shared our passion for restoring old houses. We lost touch when Rick moved to Chicago, so his sudden loss was a shock. We only wish we had known that Rick had moved back to Marion as we would've reconnected with him. His bright light will be missed. Jim and Kay DeLong, Cedar Rapids,

Jim (and Kay) DeLong
February 2, 2021