I worked with Rick at Tween Waters many years ago; I started back there this week and heard Rick had passed. He was a beautiful soul and a genuinely nice person.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Donna S.

Kathy, I just heard from Zach Ward about Rick’s passing. I am truly, truly sorry and my heart breaks for you. I lost my husband 4 years ago. If you would ever like to connect and talk I am on Facebook and Laura can connect us.

Again, my thoughts & prayers are with you.

Troy, Shannon, Alicia and I were very close growing up living across the street from each other. I remember always bouncing from house to house always outside and always playing or creating some time of game to partake in. When it was time for dinner Rick had an iconic voice that could be heard from two streets over yelling “TROY!!!” most all of us knew it was then time for our dinner most likely as well. I always found my way over to the Pakush’s backyard after dinner as most of the neighborhood kids did. I always remember Rick with a beer and a big bag of peanuts that most of us kids would snack on with him and chat by the fire until one of my parents would show up in the backyard telling me it was time to come home. He was a great guy and was like an extended parent to me going to miss him. ❤️
Love,
Jeremy

My favorite memory of Rick was when little me would sneak out of my house on summer evenings to go sit by the fire with rick and eat peanuts. My family would be calling and texting everyone in the neighborhood to try to find me. Rick would tell me when you smell the smoke you know it’s me and come on over. Once Rick found out I was not telling my parents where I was he would ask me every time if my parents knew where I was and I would say yes and he knew not to believe me and would give me a certain amount of time before he called my mom. This became an every night thing and it is a memory I will forever cherish.

Growing up as a “Pakusch” kid we had occasionally heard about Rick. A cousin many of us never met or connected with until…

My brother and his family moved to Forest Glen Drive from Seattle in 2005 or 2006. When Hans shared there was a family with the last name of Pakusch living down the street from him that none of us knew, me and my four siblings needed to know more, and started connecting the dots. Once we finally met in person, saw Rick’s face and that bald head, we knew he was definitely one of us! But truly what we each gained was a relationship with a long lost relative who embraced us, as we did him. We shared stories of a childhood missed, however looked forward to new beginnings that we could change with the generations of our own. From there on out, Rick would join his new crazy cousins at family gatherings like he had been with us forever. Every single time I would see him, he would say “Hi Cuz” embracing me with a big smile and hug. I speak on behalf my siblings and our mom, that we are all so very grateful and blessed to have gotten to know Rick, Kathy and their kids more over the past 15 years! As they say, better late than never, and we are truly thankful for the precious time, many laughs and fun we have had the pleasure to share with Rick.

Kathy, Alicia, Troy, Kaitlyn, and Shannon please know we share in your loss, and may your memories bring you some comfort. Rest In Peace “Cuz”, you will be missed! 💙

Jennifer, Dieter, Hans, Ursula & Lisa Pakusch

*A moment my father and I remember

Troy and I used to play travel basketball (Hilton Select) back in middle school. Troy and I were mostly off the bench players but me and my dad remember Rick would cheer just as loud for me as he would for his own son Troy. You could find Rick wherever his kids were and cheering for not only his own kids but the entire team as well. Sports parents of kids that played in the Hilton community with Rick’s kids will fondly remember him from his kind/friendly/inclusive attitude he always had.

Troy and I just talked about this a few weekends ago in Hilton Head. When Troy moved away from Augusta earlier this year to be closer to his family, Rick called me to say goodbye and thanked me even though Rick just came through to visit and never lived in Augusta. It meant a lot to me as we created a friendship over the last few years and we were both sad we wouldn’t see each other as often.

Alicia, Troy, and Shannon were our first friends on Forest Glen!! Our house was built & we moved into the neighborhood the year after they did. You could usually find my brother, Julian, and I hanging out with Troy as he *blasted* N*SYNC in his bedroom, or planning the next “parade” or “haunted house” or “carnival” for the neighborhood kids in the Pakusch’s backyard 😂 …I’m sure all of this was amusing for both Rick and Kathy!!

When I think of Rick I think of the peanuts he’d eat in the garage leaving a trail of peanut shells from the garage onto the driveway, him yelling “TROOOY!!” to summon him from the top of the driveway (which had turned into an ongoing phrase for all the neighbors for years) and always offering us a freeze pop in the summer. 🥲

Rick’s passing is a huge loss for his family and everyone that knew him. He will be so so missed!

With love,
Alexis Hernandez

Rick was my best friend. Our friendship began in high school and over the next fifteen years there was hardly a day that we didn’t spend some time together. We were fishing partners, drinking partners and partners in mischief. If there was one thing Rick could do it was talk me into crazy, sometimes dangerous shenanigans that ultimately created the great memories I’ll never forget. He was the extrovert to my introvert. Always ready to share a story, join the party or lend a helping hand. His confidence in his ability to resolve or fix any issues that popped up was legendary. He was MacGyver before there was a MacGyver. Just one of the countless examples. We were coming home from a fishing trip, 125 miles from home when my boat trailer broke. We were stranded. Rick looks it over, says give me some rope and duct tape. We made it back safely that day but every time I checked the rear view mirror I expected to see that boat and trailer rolling off into the ditch.

Eventually I moved away from Rochester and Rick and Kathy created a beautiful family together. Despite the distance and life changing priorities our friendship remained intact. Relegated to mostly long distance phone calls, our conversations could last hours. He would tell me about Florida, the kids and Kathy and what they had done since our last call. We always reminisced and laughed about how we survived those crazy days of our youth. Each call would end with Rick saying “I love you man” and me saying “I know, I love you too.” I’m still in shock, never expecting those calls to end anytime soon. Rest In Peace buddy. I’ll miss you.

Kathy, Alicia, Troy, Shannon and Stanley, please accept my deepest and sincere condolences for your loss. Take comfort in knowing that Rick touched many lives in his lifetime, bringing happiness, excitement, a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. He’ll be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to share and experience time with him.

I know, I love you too.
Marcel

I can’t believe I’m about to write this embarrassing memory but here we go. Shannon and Troy were my best friends since we we’re 3 years old and as my mom kindly reminded me, I used to be so scared of Rick to the point I wouldn’t go inside to use the bathroom and I’d just pee my pants. Right on the swing set! Who does that?! How I was so afraid of him, I don’t really know, because he is the kindest and funniest guy. As Shannon and I got older, Rick didn’t scare me so much but he DID lecture me a few times when I posted some dumb things Shannon and I would do in high school. But that’s just how it was, he was like a second dad to me. He taught me how to fish, how to drive the boat and how to properly take shots. The Ricky Roo to my Lindsay Lou - I love you and miss you ❤️ I got Shmoo Moo now, so rest easy.

From the minute I met Troy, I knew he came from good parents. Once I met Rick, it all made sense. His spirit was contagious. He knew no strangers. You were an old friend to Rick, even if he just met you. I was lucky enough to work with his son for many years, and to experience Rick during one of his many trips to Georgia. Rick, thank you. Thank you for letting me borrow Troy for as long as I did. Thank you for raising such a good man. Thank you for lighting up rooms with your presence. Thank you for making such an impression on me, that I felt compelled to write this to you. May you try to Rest In Peace with God, knowing you have a lot of work ahead of you, as a guardian angel to many.

Sincerely and broken hearted,

MMartin

Rick was an amazing guy my heart is breaking for you all. Shannon and Troy were a staple at our house from the age of 3 years old and on. Lindsay was the same there. Rick was like a 2nd dad to her and she had a special place in her heart for him as he did for her. I would always joke with Rick that Kathy would only feed Rick watermelon and peanuts. I remember many Halloween nights Rick and I walking the kids around the neighborhood and Rick carrying his cooler of beers for us to enjoy on our journey. Rick couldn’t walk by the house without stopping to talk and oh he could talk. When Sam
was little she would sneak out and go sit by the fire with Rick as the whole neighborhood was frantically searching for her. After that first time Rick would always ask her “does your mom know you are here - she would say yes but he knew and Kathy would txt me. I will miss you - Shot 30 to you Mr. Pakusch 🥲

It was my privilege having Rick as a neighbor for 6 years. He was always in a good mood and was extremely kind and generous. He helped me with so many home projects many without my even having to ask. My deepest condolences to Kathy and the kids.

Pakusch Family,
There are no words for the grief & sadness I have for your family. Alicia was my first friend when my family moved to Forest Glen & I won't forget how welcoming Rick was. My favorite thing Rick would do was to wander on over when he saw we were having a pool day. He loved having beers with us & the feeling was mutual! I am so glad Kaylin got to meet Rick, & I will let her know about him every time she swings on your swing set :) RIP Rick

Love,
Jessica & Kaylin

Kathy, I can’t express the sadness I feel for you and your family. No words. Let me leave you guys a couple of great memories I have about Rick.
The smell of his grill every night that it was warm enough to cook out.
The smell of his fire pit going on summer nights.
The way he could be help all his neighbors with anything and have the parts on hand.
Rick would always take something we were looking to get rid of and he would rehab it and find a use for it.
I will miss our Birthday text - we shared the same birthday!
What a great neighbor he always was!
He will be missed tremendously!
Love ya Rick
Victoria Tomasino