Roderick (Rick) D Maricle

Rick arrived in this world around "Happy Hour" in Mobile, Alabama with nary a peep and an easy delivery according to his mom, Alyce. He would continue in this vein (quiet and unassuming) until his first standup gig at the age of six, which occurred (quite unexpectedly) during a family reunion in Louisiana (birthplace of Dad, Clyde). After the success of his impromptu "knock knock" joke and farm riddle he became the "jokester" of the family! Older brother, Wayne, and younger sibling, Rusty, would appropriate his jokes for years to come. At the age of nine Rick moved with his family to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where he would always be within "casting" distance of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico or one of it's many inlets for the next 18 years. He would become an accomplished fisherman, water skier, and surfer during those idyllic times. The Maricle family, as well as friends, depended on Rick to bring the bounty of the sea to the dinner table on many occasions. NW Florida was home to dozens of cousins, aunts & uncles but none were more dear to his heart than Janet, his "kissing cuzn", and Billy, his mentor for bare foot skiing. Rick dabbled in football, track, and academics during the beginning of his formative years; but the draw of nearby emerald waters would always take precedence over other interests. Graduating from Choctawhatchee High School in 1972, he attended several local Jr. Colleges marking time as he sorted out life's possibilities. To pay for car insurance and fishing tackle, Rick shucked oysters at Sam's Seafood Restaurant and sold his fresh caught fish to Sexton's Seafood Market. After several years of non-matriculating, he decided he had to leave the coast (but not distantly) and choose a vocation.....so, north to Tallahassee, home of the Florida State Seminoles with his best ole childhood friend, Dave! His FSU days were challenging, as he balanced work (as a waiter) with classes and head coach/quarterback of the "Bayou Bangers" (highly competitive touch football team). Finally, graduating as a "Super Senior" in 1981 with a degree in Biological Sciences, Rick and friend, Joselyn, traveled west to San Francisco for fame, fortune, and excitement.

The next 45 years of Rick's life would certainly make good on those aspirations as he become famously known in his close circle of friends as the "Rickster", the guy who posted Saturday cartoons and made every gathering a light hearted tribute to fun and excellent cuisine. He found fortune in his new acquittances as they became the core emotional and spiritual foundation of his life......thanks be to his San Francisco family: Gen Lee, Paul, Tony, Charles B, Chris, Bob, Rick V, Kathy, Charles P, Jimmy, Shannon,  Donna (neighbor), and Dolores (a retired nurse) who as his neighbor & guardian angel was always there for him in time of need.

 To pay the bills, Rick worked for California EPA for a few years monitoring pollution levels in estuaries in the northern tier of the state. Next he ventured into local restaurant seafood sales working out of pier 45 for Vince's and later Standard Seafood. Owners and chefs came to love Rick's unique brand of salesmanship always laced with humor. His final 15 years of work involved international acquisition of seafood with H&N Intl. and overseeing distribution throughout the country. Rick didn't have his own corporate jet, but he flew a lot on the company Leer. The excitement transpired with harrowing and blissful wind surfing (and camping) adventures at Crissy Field, the Delta, Bodega Bay, Los Banos, Baja and other prime spots. "Jamming" on his board in 25 knot winds under the Golden Gate Bridge while taking in views of "The City by the Bay" was a site few mortals every enjoy. Throw in multiple trips to Hawaii, Vietnam/other exotic locales; and twice a year trips back to his beloved Gulf of Mexico to be with family and friends for tennis, fishing, surf kayaking, and grand culinary events which always included "Oysters Rickefeller". Later in life, the "Rickster" was thrilled (and quite pleased) to acquire another moniker among the Maricle clan when he became "Uncle Gonzo" to his nieces Becca and Rachael & nephew, Mark. A generation later Elin, Zach, and Ayden would continue the affectionate nickname for their beloved humorous and unconventional great uncle. These intertwined relationships with West Coast and Gulf Coast families were the essence of his soul and made him the person he was.

Rick was a good friend, partner, and mentor to his loved ones and many of his fellow "bay-riders". He will be remembered for his humor, warmth, many talents, and the kindness he shared with all that knew him. He's not gone, he just belongs to the universe now.