I wish to send my deepest condolences to all the family and friends who loved him.  Rick was someone who always made people laugh. The world should have more like him.

I am sorry to hear of the loss of Rick.  My condolences goes out to his family and his one and only son, Christian.        Since I was very young when Rick was a part of our family I don\'t remember a lot.  One thing I do remember is Rick\'s laugh.  I remember him laughing all the time and it being a contagious laugh!  He seemed to be a happy person.       Our thoughts and prayers on with you all at this very difficult time.        Stephanie and Travis   (Sister of Susan, Aunt of Christian Negrete).

My thoughts and prayers are with the Negrete family during this difficult time.

Rick was 15 years my senior. He was 20 and I had just turned 5 when we moved to Georgia while Rick stayed behind in Gardena.      Rick got married to Susan when I was 8. When I was 12 I started washing his car for cash. That led to babysitting and house cleaning till I was18. During these years we had a real family scene with Rick, Susan and Christian visiting consistently on weekends. Rick took me to my first concert  - Tower of Power, he and Susan took me to see Saturday Night Fever, which was a life altering experience. It was a good time in my life. It was a blow when he and Susan divorced.      With Rick as a bachelor when I was 22 I started cleaning his apartment for a little cash again and some occasional babysitting. We went to the same gym. When I was 23 we lived under the same roof again as roommates, after 17 years. It was during this time that I came to really know Rick as a brother, just a guy, my equal. To my surprise Rick had a lot of fun going out with my friends and me and this happened often. We both enjoyed dancing so it was like a hobby, and it was the 80â€™s. Iâ€™m seeing that different family members and friends had spent their own time, did their thing with him and this was mine. We had fun together.      That was when Rick got together with Melissa. They got pretty serious, we moved out of our apartment. After my Dad died in 1988 Rick moved to Des Moines. It felt strange, almost like another loss. He thrived out there and I was glad for him. He seemed to be living his dream with his involvement in broadcast and arts and entertainment. I was a little worried when his health started to deteriorate. I was glad for him that he decided to come back. I thought he was finally getting better after his surgery. I was shocked and saddened when I heard he died on Super Bowl Sunday.      What Iâ€™ll always remember about Rick was the fact that he was always so positive and upbeat. He never dwelled on negativity. This is something his spirit can teach all of us. I can honestly say that he enjoyed and pursued all of his endless possibilities. He truly made the most out of life. I will miss him, as will his littlest niece, Gigi and his brother-in-law, my husband, Kevin.

We both attended Orleans American High School, but at different times.  I have only met Rick at two of our OHS reunions, but his strong personality left me with a permanent and very positive impression. He was so excited about his plans to attend our May OHS Reunion in San Antonio.  He will certainly be missed by many of his old friends from the past. I want to send loving thoughts and prayers to Rick\'s family and friends during this very difficult time.  Dianna Vaughan Rolleg -- OHS 1958

Rick was a "brother" from Orleans American High School, Orleans, France.  Rick was there prior to me, but he was a friend to all who attended OAHS.  His enthusiasm, vigor, and smile always warmed the hearts of Orleans alumnae, and he shall be missed.  My condolences and prayers go out to the Negrete family.

Thanks Rick for all you did for OHS reunions. We will all miss you and the school spirit you inspired. In my prayers, Judy

Sally,      From the day I first saw Rick in 1959 at OHS to the last time I saw him at the 1995 reunion in DC, I was always impressed by his presence and demeanor.  He was a cool guy, and a kind person.  I feel a loss when I realize that he\'s not with us anymore.  But, the memories are good ones.

I remember Rick in Orleans as the big popular jock.  I used to admire him, tho never spoke to him.  I was underclassman. To my surprise at the Washington D.C. renunion, he searched for me and told me he also noticed me, but I was too young. Rick has a way of letting people know how important they are to him.  He will be missed greatly. My sympathies to Sally and family.

I was very sad and shocked to hear about Rick. I knew Rick so well.  I had the pleasure of being his girlfriend at OAHS and I can truthfully say that he was a very kind, considerate and loving guy.  His smile lite up a room and he always had a kind word to say about everyone.  He held, and holds, a special place in my heart and he will be missed.  My sympathies go out to Mrs. Negrete and his family.  He was a very special person.

A late Friday afternoon here at Fort McPherson, GA, and I take a moment to browse my  Army computer to see what\'s happening at Dave Thatcher\'s Orleans American High School website, and BANG! -- the Rick Negrete funeral note.       I last saw Rick in 1985 at the Orleans Grand Reunion and atward talked with him on the phone a few times when he was in Iowa not California. I remember having an image of Rick in his Redondo Beach \'cool\' threads at our Grand Reunion and saying to him on the phone, "What are you doing in Iowa, man?"      Rick was an athlete, a great dancer, smooth with the ladies, cool and collected, and always with a smile. I can see him now, walking easy with a smile, head tilted slightly, engaging and friendly. Rick Negrete will always be a part of my memories of our golden days in Orleans, France.  R.I.P. My Friend.       // Chuck Ralston OHS 1962

The  Las Vegas Reunion was my first. When I saw Rick there, I was amazed that he hadn\'t changed at all. It sure brought back great memories of school dances and how much fun we all had then. My deepest sympathy to Sally and family. Eileen Barr 1962

I knew Rick only briefly,  but our encounters at OHS were more that admorable;  he was a help and inspiration to a new commer wanting to be cool;  he buzzed out of Orleans before I got to know him very well,  but his name lived on after him.

Family memebers,There is balm for your sorrow,There   is hope for tomorrow. With   Deepest Sympathy.

My brother, Rick, was 12 years older than me so he really appreciated the world traveling that was a manditory part of our family life due to our father serving in the Army. Rick was between the ages of 14 to 17 when we lived n Orleans, France, a place that had a tremendous impact on his life. While there he made several lifelong friends that he kept in regular contact with and were a very important part of his life till the time of his death. He met up with them on a regular basis and was looking forward to the next reunion in Feb. 2004.   As mentioned above, Rick was a very talented Novelist, Poet and Actor. He also painted from time to time, and of course excelled at it. His art was a relection of his passion for life that he embraced at every opportunity. Rick was someone whose enthusiasm for life and positive outlook made him an unforgettable inspiration and source of strength to many in his life. He will be dearly missed, but always fondly remembered for his insightful wisdom, intelligent humor, compassion and insistance on living life to the fullest.

I was SO sad to hear about Rick. He always seemed bigger than life to me. In fact, in Jr. High I recreated him larger than life for an art project.      We were transforming the cafeteria into a beach scene, I can\'t remember why, and I made a life-size cardboard stand-up Beach Rick. He had thick black hair with a little twist in front like Rick, a firm chin, and a big grin with lots of teeth. He didn\'t have the voice, and he was a little one-dimensional, but otherwise lots of fun.       I hadn\'t thought about it in ages, until I heard that Rick was gone. The cardboard Rick lived in the garage for a long time, and he and his surfboard would greet you in the dark when you went to fetch a bike or whatever.       I have nothing but fond memories of Rick. My thoughts go out to his entire family.

OBITUARY

Richard P. Negrete

28 June, 1943 – 1 February, 2004

Lighthouse Memorials & Receptions

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services