Rick died in the early hours of September 2, 2024, after a short, sharp battle with cancer.
He was born on September 1, 1944, in Lubben (Spreewald), near Berlin, and grew up in Krefeld in the Lower Rhineland. A child of war, the city ruins were his playground and he credited his early diet, mostly of carrots, for his excellent night vision.
When his parents' wartime marriage ended, relative poverty propelled him early into a variety of odd jobs; setting up bowling balls, bricklayer's helper, tennis ball boy, delivery boy, and (his favourite), volunteer dog sitter, these fueled his lifelong drive for independence, bringing him, in 1969, to his "Forest Island" homestead here in Powell River/qathet.
Rick was a traveller, on foot when possible: to India and Afghanistan in 1965-68; the US and Mexico in the 1970s, and for three years in the 1980s to Asia and Polynesia.
Rick had a tremendous work ethic, completed two apprenticeships (Book dealer/Librarian and Horticulture), dug clams, picked salal and for nearly 20 years was a proud front-line caregiver with PRACL/Inclusion...when not engaged in another building project, playing trumpet, cataloging a collection, harvesting, pruning or keeping the forest at a trim distance.
Rick always made art. His uncle, the painter Hellmut Seegers, was his earliest influence. Others were Joseph Beuys, Emil Nolde, Franz Marc and collage artists Kurt Schwitters and Hannah Hoch...but his vision was all his own.
Over time, making art became his chief enjoyment. He was surprised to know that other people also enjoyed and found meaning in his work. He recently wrote, "It's cosmic, when things fit together in a harmonious way. Things (that we discard) are found, stored, and one day they fit together and form new shapes to tickle the mind. This makes for a happy, exciting time for me."
His work has been shown locally at the 101 Gallery in Lund (1993); at the Powell River Gallery; recently at The Crucible Gallery (2020 and 2024); and at his home gallery.
So much love and gratitude to those who helped make Rick's last show happen.
Rick leaves his life partner, Jean MacKenzie; daughters Katya Gustafson (Dave, Connor and Owen: Powell River) and Clea Underwood (Will, Iris and Kaia: San Antonio); his adopted Celtic clan, Heather, Holly, Denis, JP; Eva, Alexis, Casey and Abdul; dear cousin Sharon Dennie (David and Sara); and numerous Powell River friends, old and new.
A special appreciation to all the Ping Pong Palace players who brought Rick so much fun and fellowship.
Rick's sincere thanks to Dr. Rossouw and Kim, and to the Home Care nurses and the staff at Rexall who helped us navigate the last few months. Special thanks during Rick's last days to our families and to David, Leslie, Paul, Kristie, Emily, and especially to Chelsea, for singing Rick home.
Rick was buried in Cranberry Cemetery, in the Green section, on September 7, 2024.
