Miss you Rick Boo.

Duluth News Tribune: Duluth businessman, local music advocate Rick Boo dies at 60
Fox 21: Remembering Duluth business owner, community advocate Rick Boo

Rick Boo's Cruise -- June 7, 2003.

Rick was always there to lend an ear, a story, a laugh, or the hard truth. In ways large and small he has impacted the lives of Duluthians for years. We got to know him through Pub Quiz and then office hours on Wednesdays. Then we started hanging out with him away from the Pub and 61. 

Boo introduced us to Burns Night, the Irish goodbye, and how to get guns from California to Duluth. I can still see that twinkle in his eye and hear his chuckles when telling a good story or an off-color joke. We talked about local politics, business, beer, music, and life. I saw him a week ago, and as always, he was working too hard but smiling anyways. Not seeing that smile and hearing him call someone a "dummy" again is what is hitting me most right now. 

Rick Boo was the best curmudgeon any of us could ever know.

It always slayed me that the Baron of Bohemia was a Republican. That seemed a strange, and strangely hopeful thing. Thanks, Rick.

I'll always remember Rick as my sales rep at A&E Supply while I was at the media center at UWS. Always a smile and a pleasant word. Of all the salespeople I dealt with in my career, he was among the most genuine. We both went on to other things, and our paths haven't crossed. Wish you were here, Rick.