Today, September 21, 2023 is my 71st birthday. Rick would have been 70 this year. Looking back, I knew Rick in a very formative period when we were in high school together with his brother Terry. When my dad was at work and school was done for the day, it was the Robideau house were I would hang out. Rick and I would go on little dates together with our girls at the time. I can remember Carol and Chris, and we would go hang out at Chris's parents house. They had a pool house where we would hang and stuff like that. It's all a lifetime ago, and it's difficult to think that someone so meaningful in my life is no longer with us. There were things about Rick's health that I never knew about. Ultimately, he gave up in the face of adversity and went to a better place. I miss him and all of his family, they will forever be in my heart. God bless little Ricky.

Today is 3 year anniversary of Ricks passing- 
It is astounding and absurd that he is no longer here- 
He meant so much to our family - and miss him so very much- 

I know many of you do as well - As he made a difference in the lives of so many others- 
Snap on Tools was his passion - Snap On Tools was a extremely lucky Company for many decades to have had such a dedicated leader in their Midst- he cared deeply in for the success of every single person employed with that company- He was not only a mentor and a leader - he thrived knowing he had the ability to make each of them money - thats what he loved , just teaching the basics and had all the right formulas if followed his leadership.
He was a Master at his Craft- He was the first to show up and the last to leave for the day every day- 
No one has EVER had such a work ethic- 

Our boys will never be the same - they have all his awards and things that they can touch that remind them of him and that helps. But I can see  a truly solemn way about them still-
 
Rick please keep your Hand on us all,
With Love,
Maria

Rick was there for me at a seminal point in my Snap-on Tools management journey. I was a new branch manager in Phoenix and I was struggling with practically everything.  I looked around at my region and realized that Rick was the most successful branch manager - period. I reached out to him, thinking the best way for me to succeed was to mentor with the best. To my surprise, he offered to 
help! He asked me to fly over and spend a few days with him. 

He opened up his literal playbook and coached me on what it takes to lead a successful branch office. That coaching changed my management approach completely. With his guidance, the Phoenix Branch Office gradually went from worst to first in the Region.  

I owe a great deal of my success to Rick investing in me. Rick could be really tough on people. He was firm, but fair. One of the best pieces of advice he shared with me, actually took me off. I was recounting something that I was not having success with, and I told Rick that I had tried very hard to make it happen. Rick looked at me through those eyes and sad “try is a loser word.  It rhymes with cry and die. Stop using it”. I’ll never forget him or his mentorship. 

May God bless you and keep you all.

Maria,

I just wished Rick a happy birthday on Facebook and found out from Brian Gjersee that he had passed away in 2020.  I'm so sorry!  The news was like a gut-punch to me.  Rick was a good friend and mentor to me in our days together as Snap-on Tools Branch Managers in the Western Division.  He single-handedly saved my career at one point by taking the time to share his 'best practices' with me.  He helped me pull my head out of a dark place. In fact, I still have his 'how-to' manual of success somewhere in my files.  

I will never forget him or his kindness.  Rick was a very competitive individual, but he also took the time to help everyone in Snap-on Tools around him.  I remember one time telling him that I would "try" to do something he asked me to do.  He leaned over the desk...looked at me with those piercing 'Rick' eyes, and said "Stop using that word Nichols.  'Try' rhymes with 'cry' and 'die'.  It's a loser word.  Get rid of it and never use it again!"  

I'll never forget that moment and I used those same words of wisdom many times with my own team (giving Rick the credit every time). Rick was compassionate.  He was tough, but kind. I will miss him greatly.

I pray God's blessings over you Maria.  If there's anything I can ever do for you or your family, please feel free to message me thru FB.

Jeff Nichols

Hello I was so sorry to hear about Ricky I knew him from school and his brother Terry,my friend Connie  and I would go to there house all the time I was very close to his Mother she actually help me get my first job at Carnations on wilshure Blvd we would go into work together I just loved that women and miss her Ricky married my girlfriend Merry fewless we all went to John Bourroughs High School together I wish I kept in touch with Rick and his family they made such an impact in my life especially his Mother I'm sorry again to hear of Ricky's passing  Marisa Cuccinello

Thank you Greg and Scott for your messages

Rick was my first field manager with Snap on Tools, at the now defunct Montclair, CA branch. His field group was The Foothill Flyers. A great guy, he taught me the basics of sales which I use to this day. We were the #1 field group in the world for a while in 1985, the year I got my Ruby Ring.

He had an everlasting effect on me and my life.

R.I.P., Rick, and thank you for getting my life kick started. Condolences to your family and friends. Very sorry to hear of your passing.

Rick and I went to John Burroughs High in Burbank, CA together with his Brother Terry and Sister Patty and cousin Danny Wiese.  I used to walk from where I lived with my dad on W. Tujunga Ave to where Rick lived on Whitnall Hwy, about a 45 min walk.  We would hang together during breaks at JBH and occasionally would get in trouble together.  I remember we had history class together and our teacher's name was, I think Mr. Stone.  He would make the students who were acting up do pushups as punishment.  Rick and I did our share of pushups in his class.  I would hang at Rick's house on the weekends and horse around with him and Terry.  Terry and I were good friends too and learned photography together.  Rick and Terry were into custom car painting.  They always had some job going when I was there.  Later on they started building custom motorcycles.  I knew Rick's parents Rick and Arlene.  They were great people and Rick's dad would take Rick and Terry to play basketball.  Sometimes I joined them.  I will miss Rick.  We have been able to meet and talk from time to time, but it has been awhile.   

OBITUARY

Richard Alan Robideau

February 24, 1953 – September 20, 2020

Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary

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