Rick Alexander 1947-2009

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 22 May 2009 5:51 pm

I have very sad news to report. Rick has passed away. I will try to get some more information tomorrow (I am at work tonight). This is terrible. Rick was one of my best friends.

Rest in Peace my friend, it just won't be the same without you.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 22 May 2009 6:07 pm

Jeff-This is a great shock. I thought that Rick would recover. What happened? He was recovering from the Heart Valve replacement. I had hoped and prayed that all our prayers would get him through it. Why? Why? I am so sorry. Rick was quite a guy...al

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 22 May 2009 6:12 pm

I never knew Rick, but did read his comments and topics with interest and conversed briefly with him through the Forum a couple of times, but nevertheless I'm devastated. [Not incoincidentally, I suppose, I have my Stringmaster (2/3 of a T-8) out in the car now...]

Michael Winslow · Post by **Michael Winslow** » 22 May 2009 6:19 pm

I met Rick outside of the SG Forum about five years ago. He encouraged me to join saying "it was the best five dollars he ever spent." He was always very supportive of myself and every lap steel player.
I cannot believe this has happened. My sympathy to his family. I am heartbroken.

Chippy Wood · Post by **Chippy Wood** » 22 May 2009 6:20 pm

Such a tragedy, Sylvia's and my deepest condolences to Rick's family.

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 22 May 2009 6:30 pm

This is truly a very sad day. When I heard how bad he was doing it just broke my heart. We were very close friends even though we never met face to face.

The hours sent on the hone were funny, informative, crazy and sometimes down right nuts.

I will miss you Rick. God speed.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 May 2009 7:12 pm

This is very sad news. What a tremendous loss to the steel guitar community. Rest in peace, Rick

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 22 May 2009 7:16 pm

Rick and I just got to where we were feeling really comfortable with each other. He was calling me once a week on the phone and I really enjoyed these get togethers. It was like we were next door neighbors.

He was an irreplaceable FRIEND! I will forever miss him. What a wonderful person. I'm so happy I got to meet him in Dallas this past year.

Don McGregor · Post by **Don McGregor** » 22 May 2009 7:25 pm

Aloha, Rick.
Thank you for being so giving, and sharing your time on this planet with so many of us.
Aloha.

Charley Wilder · Post by **Charley Wilder** » 22 May 2009 7:39 pm

A sad day. I didn't know Rick personally but he helped me a lot with his posts and videos as he did many here on the forum! I just don't know what to say except to send my very best to Rick's family in this time of trial.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 22 May 2009 7:41 pm

A huge loss ... Rick was one of the good guys ...

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 22 May 2009 7:46 pm

This is heart breaking news.The Pollick family offers their condolences.

Steve Alcott · Post by **Steve Alcott** » 22 May 2009 8:07 pm

Mary and I send our sympathy and condolences to Rick's family and friends.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 22 May 2009 8:21 pm

This is very sad news! Rick will never be forgotten and especially by those of us who knew and corresponded with him in one way or another! My sincere condolances to all of Rick's family! R.I.P. Rick.

Red Kilby · Post by **Red Kilby** » 22 May 2009 8:58 pm

I am with heavy heart tonite, Rick was one of my dearest friends. I have been gone for several days and did not even know that he was sick?? Or even in the hospital. This is a total shock.

My condolences go out to Rick's family, and to everyone here tonite that knew Rick.

I MISS YOU MY FRIEND.

Jeff I sent you a personal email please get back with me.

Tom Palmer · Post by **Tom Palmer** » 22 May 2009 9:01 pm

This is heart breaking. What a gentleman! He was a good customer and a great guy. I will miss him. My condolences to his family. - Tom

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 22 May 2009 9:40 pm

Rick was a man who took the time to personally email me to answer questions I asked on this forum. He helped me with special tunings and string guages. I can't believe he is gone. What a special person he was. I am sorry I never got the chance to shake his hand and say thank you in person.

To Rick's family, I am very sorry for your loss.

Sadly,

Rich Hlaves

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 May 2009 9:49 pm

I'm heartbroken and speechless. Goodbye Rick. You will forever be missed around here.
Your pal,
Mike

Jim Strawser · Post by **Jim Strawser** » 22 May 2009 10:06 pm

I never met Rick but did get some PM's from him. He was the consumate gentleman, always willing to help others. For the musicians in Montana, I send our sincerest condolances and prayers for his immeidate family. God Bless Rick, you play for a higher Master now!

wt golden · Post by **wt golden** » 22 May 2009 10:22 pm

I count myself very fortunate to say that I had the pleasure of meeting Rick. He was friendly to a fault and he will be missed. It seems like he never stopped playing music (and acquiring guitars) and his posts will me missed on the forum. In Dallas he was already talking about the non pedal room in StLouis, and if you haven't seen his youtube pages of videos and forum members playing... well you should check them out.

Woody Allen said "It's impossible to experience one's death objectively and still carry a tune."

I like to think that Rick is trying to convince whoever is at the pearly gates - to trade the harp they are handing out for one of his Stringmasters - so he can give it a try.

Frederic Mabrut · Post by **Frederic Mabrut** » 22 May 2009 10:24 pm

These are heart breaking news. I've never met Rick but we have sometimes exchanged through Myspace or the Forum. He will be missed.

Kevin Greenberg · Post by **Kevin Greenberg** » 22 May 2009 10:30 pm

R.I.P. Rick Alexander.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 22 May 2009 10:55 pm

This is truly heartbreaking... what more is there to say? Farewell, my friend.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 22 May 2009 11:14 pm

I am another to whom Rick was very helpful and friendly. I never met him. I never spoke to him. But through our correspondance and our mutual participation in various threads on the forum I came to regard him as a friend. I had been looking forward to meeting him one of these years at Joliet.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 22 May 2009 11:18 pm

Our friend Rick loved music, the steel guitar, and all of us. I can't believe he's gone. This is such a terrible lose.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Rick Alexander 1947-2009

Rick Alexander 1947-2009

A tremendous loss for everyone........................

Rick

R.a.