March 23, 1949 – July 3, 2013
Richard Scott "Rick" Solsten passed into the Light quietly and peacefully at Coming Home Hospice in San Francisco July 3, 2013. He had been fighting lung cancer for five months, and was watched over in his final days by his husband, Bob Lucas, and dear friends Daniel Hafer, Ralph Ginorio, and Wes Sebren.
Born in Minneapolis on March 23, 1949, Rick grew up in St. Petersburg and graduated from the University of South Florida, where he helped create a gay-issues program on campus radio. In the 1970s he moved to San Francisco, where he managed audio-visual setups for conventions. He and Bob met in San Francisco in 1998, moved to Oakland in 2001, and were married in 2008. He lived to see the end of Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act.
Rick is survived by his husband, Bob; sister, Anita Bianchi; and brothers, Kevin, John, and Jeff. He will be missed and remembered as a bright presence by all who knew him. A private memorial service was held at Rick's and Bob's Oakland home July 20. Donations in Rick's name may be made to the Coming Home Hospice.