On January 15, 1970, Rick was born in Oklahoma City to Carol and David Safi and was the youngest of two sons. The family resided in Afghanistan until they escaped in 1978 and then lived in Yemen from 1980 to 1984 before returning to the United States. Rick went on to graduate from Edmond Memorial High School in 1988. He attended the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oklahoma State University in 1995. While at OSU, he earned his Emergency Medical Technician certification and was a first responder at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Rick married his soulmate, Lezel Cunningham, on March 8, 1997, in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Continuing his education, Rick graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 2002 and shortly thereafter established his dental practice in Edmond.
He was preceded in death by father, David; son, Ian; brother-in-law, Tye Cunningham; and father-in-law, Dan Cunningham. He is survived by Lezel, wife of 25 years; their three beautiful children: Ariana, 21, Evan, 18, and Tye Hill, 16; mother, Carol Safi; brother, William and his wife Kim; nephew, Nikolas; niece, Claira; his Coffee Clan; and countless other family and friends.
Rick was known for his many life passions, including automobiles, aviation, philanthropy, scuba diving, and travel. His love for fitness led to the completion of four Ironman Triathlons, and he was preparing for his fifth in Tulsa.