Richard Allan Laird

The family of Richard A. Laird announces with great sorrow his passing on Sunday, February 4, 2024. Rik died peacefully with his beloved wife by his side at their vacation home in Ft. Myers, Fla. at the age of 83 from complications of heart disease.

Rik was born to Henrietta (Tanis) Laird and Leonard Laird on November 8,1940 in Ludington, Michigan during a blinding snowstorm.

A talented trumpet player with an aptitude for science and math, Rik received a music scholarship and an engineering scholarship to the University of Michigan. In 1966, he graduated with an engineering degree, and by 1973 had earned an M.A. in hospital administration. He developed a successful career in Cleveland, including posts as vice-president at University Hospitals and Metro Health Medical Center, then joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pittsburgh in 1996.

It was in Pittsburgh that Rik recognized and took steps to bridge the significant awareness and advocacy gap between patients and practitioners. This led to his most recent endeavor, the Patient Advisory Council for the Parkinson Foundation of Western PA. Rik himself was diagnosed in 2012 with the progressive nervous system disorder.

Before his retirement in 2015, he was principal of Laird Consulting for five years. Rik also made time to serve on the Sewickley Hills Borough Council, including as mayor from 2002 to 2010. An avid sports fan, he carried a torch always for his University of Michigan Wolverines, as well as rooting for both Cleveland and Pittsburgh sports teams. He was a dedicated duplicate bridge player, achieving Life Master status with his wife, Patricia Rambasek, playing at the regional and national levels. The couple also enjoyed

playing golf for many years at the Sewickley Heights Golf Club and Olde Hickory Golf and Country Club in Ft. Myers. In retirement, Rik and Patti were fortunate travel the world from Europe to Asia, and from the Caribbean to South America. Rik was a proud idealist, with a deep desire to make a difference. As a young man, he became one of the first volunteers for President John F. Kennedy’s brand-new Peace Corps, serving in the Dominican Republic from 1962-1965 as what locals called the “Hijos de Kennedy,” or Sons of Kennedy. He extended his commitment, serving as the Peace Corps’ associate director in Venezuela through 1969. Later Rik would serve for more than two decades as a board member of Fondo Quisqueya, a non-profit that provides grants and scholarships to low-income individuals in the Dominican Republic.

Rik cared deeply about leaving the world – or least a small part of it -- better than he found it. He was generous with his resources, time and talent, supporting many forms of education and community service for his entire adult life. He delighted in empowering individuals and organizations to develop themselves.

Rik was a soft-spoken, patient and diplomatic man. He cared about people and won many friends during his life. Those left to cherish his memory include: his sister, Nancy; brothers-in-law James, Thomas, and James; sisters-in-law Lynne, Nancy, and Karen; nieces JoAnne, Katherine, Marne, Kara and Colleen; nephews Todd, Michael and Mark; and Rik’s soul mate and best friend of 44 years, Patti Rambasek. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Paul Rambasek. Rik’s extended family includes 12 great nieces and nephews. His essential goodness, integrity and loving nature will inspire them always.

A private memorial will be held in Pittsburgh in June. For those wishing to express their sympathy, please consider a donation in Rik Laird’s memory: Parkinson Foundation of Western PA, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 2222, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 or at www.pfwpa.org.