my wife always had good things to say about your dad.

Sounds like quite a guy!

"Forgiving or punishing the terrorists is left to God. But, fixing their appointment with God is our responsibility."

itchyhitch.blogspot.com

Rick, this is a beautiful tribute.

I am so sorry for your loss.

It sounds like he had a long and pretty fantastic life full of excitement and friends and family. Don't forget self care in this time of remembrance.

I'm so sorry for your loss.  It sounds like he lived a full and exciting life.  (((hugs))) 

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. ~Ludwig van Beethoven

BMW on the way out to kamilche.

The McKinnon clan played a profoundly positive role in my teenage years.

Ian was the 1st person I met at when as a potential high school drop-out I walked up to the door of the Off Campus school filled with trepidation. Ian welcomed me with a smile and said "Hey man, I'm Ian. Who are you?" Thus began a friendship that lasted for a decade.

Your Dad was one of the first adults who treated me as a young adult as opposed to a teenager. He could be gruff and unflinchingly honest but he always treated me with more respect than an adolescent boy really deserved. I think the greatest gift Rick Sr. gave to me was to realize the craziness, insecurity, and fear of adolescence could be survived and would pass.

Rick Sr. lived a full life. He was one of the best men I have ever known. I feel great sorrow knowing he is gone. Bless you Rick and thank you for letting me know.

In Peace Laurian

You were a great conversationalist and you walked your talk. I enjoyed the half dozen or so times we visited. You and Susan always made me feel welcome in your presence.

Hard changes for the family and our hearts are with you.

...for your kind words. Somehow it helps a little to share the grief . We're slowly beginning to put our world back together, minus one big piece.

I only met your dad once, but he stands in my memory as a wonderful conversationalist and a fine man. So sorry to hear of your loss.

He was reading a book about Japanese death poems when he died. Here's a haiku that I wrote for him:

Thanks again for all the kind words.

...here at the Funeral Alternatives website (who have been great, btw).

Community,

I’m deeply saddened to learn of the death of Rick McKinnon senior. I can’t say I “knew” Rick senior too well- who outside clan McKinnon really did? An authentic badass is the most apt description I can muster to describe him from the distance from which I was in his presence, now twenty years passed. But I confess, from the moment I met him I wished he was MY father.

Ian Patrick introduced me to his “old man” in Rick senior’s then office he shared with Ted Moat’s dad in the Angeles apartment building on 4th Ave above Wynne’s Rainy Day Records and SJ’s Smithfield café.. To me now, twenty years later, my recollection of Rick senior’s presence was how I’d imagine being in the presence of generals Lee or Grant , Henry David Thoreau , Patrick Pearse, or even Hannibal.

Rick was rebellion with a Drum cigarette and motorbike parked out front- rebellion from the after side- with a blazer and beard quietly trying to make sense of it all in homogenized post-modernity that doesn’t respect the rugged individualism that that man embodied 100%. He held true to his values-lived in a converted oyster factory, rode a motorcycle at high speed, rolled his own Drums, and was obviously some cat out of time. He had this aloof, masculine nature more akin to Viking warrior heroes preparing for battle than real estate agents waiting in line for a Starbucks cappuccino. He tried to merge them- both with family and profession- with the successes and failures that such impossibility supposes. I imagine, don’t know.

I say only: God bless you Rick senior, it was a pleasure to meet you. You fathered one son who I love and think about with a frequency that defies time. I cry my eyes out even to this day that he’s gone and never, ever forget him. Another son of yours whose classes at Evergreen inspired me in countless ways (and who I owe two books) and helped me so much to attain my university position . You had a first wife who continued to befriend wayward souls like mine and a second who dedicates her life to helping the misfortunate through art. What a legacy. You were a success Rick senior , you engendered great people and contributed indelibly to your community in your years here.

I hope you’re in some sort of Valhalla. We’re all gonna die. I hope you wake up on a classic Norton with a sword in hand, Drum in mouth and Viking words on your lips and injustice and hypocrisy as your victim. You were a bold, badass man of the type this world needs, but have all but disappeared. ¡Viva McKinnon!

 some sort of memorial fund?  THe more I read about your father, I see he had a big impact on the world around him.  Any favorite charities?  

It's me again, Old Gnarly's wife Susan, young Rick's glad stepmom.

I hope OGR can feel the good things written about him here. It does his family good to read these kind and articulate comments.

I'd like to remind the collective of Rick's brother and OGR's son, Joel, who gave OGR his name in the first place one birthday evening. Joel also did some of his best growing up in Olympia, but travelled widely and settled in Seattle. Joel Martell. Know the guy I mean? Handsome, strong, intelligent man of integrity? Used to hang out in the East Side Club? Rick the Elder and I adopted Joel in l993. We'd have done it sooner, but it took us 13 years to get around to getting married - then we suddenly felt legitimate enough to do the right thing, which was long overdue and always naturally fated. Joel moved in with the original McKinnons at age 16, as young Rick's best friend; I arrived later. He, the two Ricks and I formed a core unit after the death of beautiful Ian. We clung together like shipwreck victims. We considered melding all our names, but thought "McMartian" would limit our career options. If this all sounds a little unorthodox, well, that nails it.

Joel saves hurt adolescents from annihilation; he saves parents from confusion and remorse. Ask Rick about him. With all this love going around, he shouldn't be going unmentioned. You would love him! Some of you already do. We need to have a party.

Thanks for letting me tell you about our family. We belong to you. Always did.