Dear Friends of Rick,
Rick died at 11:45 a.m. today. He simply just stopped breathing. It didn't take long for the pancreatic cancer.
During his stay at the Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care at University Place, there was always someone by his bedside.
My daughter, Ansley, who adored Rick, stayed with him throughout his last night. In the midmorning, another of his childhood friends, Jon Manos went there with his wife, Anne. I was on my way to the hospice when Jon called me.
The room was quiet as the oxygen machine and its pump were now off. Rick was in bed, covered with white sheets.
I half-expected him to say, "Hey, Erik."
I will post a fuller obit a bit later.
Over the years, Rick and I would email each other drafts of whatever we were writing. Those of you in the business know what it's like talking shorthand about a story with someone you know, trust and respect. There is no problem if the comment is that this graf sucks or you better put a nut graf here or you need a good quote here.
Rick was a copy editor and music writer for many years at  The News Tribune in Tacoma, the TNT.
He wrote about an astounding range of music topics. 
When you read the history of Parker's Ballroom at HistoryLink, there is a Rick story cited as a source. He championed local artists.
He wrote the definitive history of the 1960s Tacoma rock band the Galaxies. He wrote about the Tacoma Gypsy jazz and swing group Pearl Jango. Local jazz artist Greta Matassa had Rick's glowing assessment up front in her promotional material: "Matassa is worth a sizable price of admission wherever and whenever she sings!" 
If you to share your memories, and any photos of Rick, for his obituary, you're welcome to do. You can email them to lacitis@prodigy.net. Include a phone number (not for publication) in case I have some questions.
In one of our conversations at the hospice, I blurted out to Rick, "Fucking 'a.'"
That led Rick to another story of his. He was in Berlin at a bar, talking to a local, when he used that term. When he later met the guy again, the guy wondered about this Seattle guy. What was this thing about fucking eggs?