Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Joy, their son Jacob Preble, daughter-in-law Kellie Edwardsen, and much-adored grandchildren, Cohen and Averie, as well as many loving cousins, aunts, and friends.
A consummate salesman, sports-lover, and life-long poker enthusiast, Rick was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Northwestern University before embarking not only on marriage to Joy but on a life’s journey that included a move from Chicago to Texas (with a brief sojourn in New Mexico), and a series of careers in which he sold everything from school supplies to electronics, to indoor air quality services, patio furniture, and more.
A devoted sports fan, Rick adored watching his beloved Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears (as well as the Houston Texans and Astros!), and also delighted in coaching various youth sports teams. He was a dedicated father who nurtured his son Jacob in every sport from basketball to swimming to soccer to Rick’s own passion of football, supporting Jake at each and every game and practice. One of Rick’s greatest joys was watching Jake follow in his footsteps to play high school football, cheering loudly and proudly as Jake’s team advanced all the way to the state championships senior year.
Rick’s greatest passion, however, came from his deep commitment to his Judaism and Jewish learning. He was very active in temple life at Congregation Jewish Community North, serving as President, Vice-President, Board Secretary, Men’s Club President, and most importantly to him, as a teacher at the Jacques C. Shure Religious School for over 30 years, a position that earned him the honor of the Grinspoon Award for Jewish Education. Generations of students loved Rick’s comparative religions class as well as his adult education classes, and always speak fondly of “Mr. Preble.”
In his spare time, Rick never passed up a good game of poker with friends. He also loved to travel, particularly road trips where he could be behind the wheel. Whether family trips to a dude ranch in the Hill Country or a beach on the Texas coast, a casino trip to Las Vegas, a drive to the Grand Canyon or watching Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, walking through New York, DC, or New Orleans, and of course visiting his hometown of Chicago, where he always made time for a Chicago hot dog and an Italian Beef sandwich, Rick’s favorite part of those trips was being with his loved ones. More recently, those trips included frequent jaunts to Dallas to be “Papa Rick” to his beloved grandchildren, Cohen and Averie.
Rick had many more adventures waiting to be explored, but sadly, illness shortened that exploration. He will be deeply missed.
A graveside service will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas 77384 on Thursday, July 10th, at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Congregation Jewish Community North or to the charity of your choice in Rick’s memory.
