Rick Hunter has "slipped the surly bonds of earth to wheel and soar in sunlit silence." He leaves behind his bereft fan club as he scouts out their next adventure in his new dimension.
Rick lost his long struggle with Lewy Body Disease on August 12, 2021.
He was a man of great integrity, honor and courage wrapped in a delightful fondant of humor, high jinx and wild adventure. He was game to try anything and had an uncanny ability to add new, hair raising thrills to often already exciting exploits. His movie camera was always along to document each death defying escapade.
He was married 41 years to his adoring wife, Julie, who dubbed him, "the most fun guy I ever met!" His two best friends and intrepid sons, Erik and Drake, followed him into the ocean, up and down mountains, rivers and beaches. Julie did the catering. He could solve everything and fix anything.
Rick was born May 11, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. In the early fifties, the family moved to Santa Monica, California before building a home in Las Flores Canyon, Malibu. Rick grew up wandering the canyons and surfing the waves of Malibu. He graduated from Santa Monica High School and eared his bachelor's degree from UCSB.
He was a third generation pilot and distant cousin to the Wright Brothers of Kitty Hawk. When, as a child, he was asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, he answered "I don't want to work, I want to be a pilot like my Dad." And he was. He joined the Navy after college and flew A-4 fighter jets out of Barber's Point, Hawaii. In 1982 he was hired by US Airways and flew as a commercial pilot for 32 years.
He and Julie moved to Oxnard, California in 1988 and raised their sons there. The loved boat trips to the Channel Islands, especially Santa Rosa Island. Rick loved playing beach volleyball and kite surfing. He loved watching his boys play water polo for Oxnard High. He made great family videos that will help us remember our many adventures. We are so grateful for the years we had and only wish we could have had more.
Rick is survived by his brother Craig and his wife Martha, their children Erin and Melissa, his brother Tim, his wife Martha, their children Patrick, Alec and Natalie, and his sister Jody and her son, Chris. He leaves behind his wife, Julie, and his sons, Erik and Drake. He also leaves behind behind his two beautiful granddaughters, Audrey and Sadie, children Erik and daughter-in-law, Justine.
Thank you to our friends, near and far, for your love and support these last few years. Your encouragement brought us comfort and made our journey easier. Special thanks to caregivers, Clarissa Swallows and Karen Marks who took him to the beach most days and laughed and danced with him while they played his favorite tunes. Thanks to Livingston Memorial Hospice for their competent and compassionate care including Julie Nishida, Amy Schafer, Nancy Vaca, and Dr. Lanyard Dial.
A private family memorial will be held by the ocean sometime in the future when we can bear to admit he is gone.
Every time we see a face in the clouds or the rosy fingers of the setting sun our hearts will be with you, dear Rick.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.