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R.I.P. to my uncle Rick, the Codfather

Aug 10, 2022, 7:40 AM

My uncle Rick was a surfer, and a beach bum - often literally.

He spent long chunks of his life out of touch with his family. Most of the time we didn't really know that much about what he was doing or exactly where he was. We did know his life revolved around surfing every chance he could. We knew he always wanted everyone around him to have a good time, and was funny and charming and loved the ladies. They loved him too.

Rick doing a headstand:

It was only after Rick died that we learned the extent of his surfing family. They ranged from homeless vets to business owners, professionals, ex-cons, preachers, kids, musicians and artists. They got together and raised money for his funeral expenses, and arranged a memorial service for him on the beach - his beach - in Surf City, NC.
Over a hundred people showed up this past Sunday to pay their respects and participate in the service.

It turned out to be one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.

He'd spent time in the Navy and a military flag-folding service with Taps was first, then some music and shared words about Rick.

Flag presented to Rick's brother (my dad):

Telling Rick stories - more laughs than tears:

Afterwards was the highlight, a paddle-out to scatter flowers and his ashes at sea. Rick's surfing family invited my brother and I to participate in the paddle-out, and even provided surfboards for us to use since we are definitely NOT surfers.

Paddle-out circle from the pier:

A local sign shop made a sticker in his honor and handed them out. After the paddle-out we gathered for drinks at an oyster bar overlooking the scene.

The Codfather sticker (with pants):

Everybody had funny Rick stories. In the water, he was famous for his skill, his enthusiasm for surfing and having fun, his encouragement of others and his iconic headstand, which he performed both with and without pants.
Out of the water, he was a great carpenter and a hard worker - as long as the waves were flat. He always had a smile on his face and a beer in his hand, and although he couldn't or wouldn't stop himself from drinking, he helped save others from their alcohol demons. More than one person swore they owed their life to Rick and many more said he'd helped them through the hardest parts of their lives. He loved to help his friends and was incredibly generous with what little he ever had.

From the outside it was easy to think that Rick's life didn't amount to much. He didn't last in the Navy. He never made much money, and he usually didn't have shoes on. He never married or had kids of his own. When he died he didn't even have a car, or a home, or enough posessions to fill a box.

But Rick knew how to live life, maybe better than most of us. And he was loved.

Rest in Peace, Uncle Rick.

The Codfather:

Cool video of the paddle-out from a drone:
(0:52 for surfboard pathway and crowd; 1:13 for surfers going in; 2:55 burial at sea).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeoKMqlpS7o

BTW: A thousand thanks to Wes Rider for spearheading the memorial.

flag link

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what a life well lived. And to touch so many lives. Wow.

I have a step-brother that everyone in the family tsk-tsks about all the time. "He's got no direction, no drive! He's not building a life!"

Dude chose to move out to Boulder and rock climb with a bunch of buddies. They all worked little jobs, bike shops, outdoor stores, etc. and they paid for their hobbies with the money. Found a place where the landlord would let them convert the indoor spaces to climbing/bouldering rooms and turned their house into a playground. He took up Jiujitsu and snowboarding as side hobbies. Eventually jiujitsu became his main hobby. He helps teach at the local dojo for a couple o bucks on the side. If you ask him about the latest TV show or movie, he has no idea. He's a chess genius and plays in online tournaments. He reads a ton of books.

And then he inherited a BUNCH of money from his dad and grandad who both died around the same time.

And he lives EXACTLY how he was living before. Drives a straight shift corolla because the WRX he was driving resulted in him losing his license and riding a bike everywhere. He spends about the same he used to spend and works about as much as he used to work and his inheritance grows at a pretty fast clip now.

And all the stressed out, burned out, rich but struggling to maintain people around him are like, "What is he going to do with his life?"

R.I.P. to my uncle Rick, the Codfather

Wow. RIP Rick.***

Def lived Life!***

This ranks up there among the coolest things I have seen.

Sorry for your loss.

That seems to me like a life extremely well-lived. Thanks

Condolences to you. Rick definitely knew how to live,

I'll give you and him the best compliment I can

RIPcurl Codfather

what a life Uncle Rick! thanks for sharing

Now that is a cool uncle***

What a legacy!***

GREAT tribute and so sorry for your loss

RIP indeed

That's ####### cool.

I love this...

People seem to hate when they see others that don't live

We have these really weird, ingrained definitions for things

I'm not sure when my mindset on that did a 180.

Johnny Cash

It's the story about the old fisherman and the

Some people think we're supposed to "follow the rules."

Link to story

Re: Some people think we're supposed to "follow the rules."

We should all be so fortunate. You say poor Toby?

Re: I love this...

Thanks for sharing. Great story on an amazing human!***

Rick sounds like he was a cool dude.***

Re: R.I.P. to my uncle Rick, the Codfather

Re: R.I.P. to my uncle Rick, the Codfather

Surf's up...

Great story, thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone - been away all day and just seeing

Cod dang Rick, RIP

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