Rick
Benedict
Rick Benedict
Rick passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2025. He was 52 years old.
Rick is the cherished son of Judi and the late David; the beloved brother of Jenny, and the loving uncle of Anthony (Rucha Naik) Phillips. He is further survived by many dear cousins, other relatives, colleagues, and countless friends who will all miss him dearly.
Rick was always an early adopter of new technology. In the late 90’s, he combined his love of music with his computer knowledge and began creating playlists that he would send out on Fridays and would share with his friends, family, and people around the world that signed up to receive them. He called it “Friday Jams,” and he continued to use this name as an alias for his creative projects.
He was an accomplished videographer and photographer, having a knack for capturing the energy and emotion of the city. After an initial trip to Tokyo, Asian cities became his subject of choice. His travels allowed him to combine many of his favorite hobbies, including honing his cooking skills which he became well known for at any get-together at Rick’s house.
Rick was a lifelong Bay View resident where he would get around the neighborhood on his e-bike.
Rick was a kind and generous man – he would do anything for you whether you were family or friend. Rick’s sudden passing leaves a huge void in the lives of those fortunate to have known him.
Family and friends will gather at Heritage Funeral Home, 9200 S. 27th Street in Oak Creek on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 3:00 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.
If desired, memorials to the family are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
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I was so privileged to work with Rick for several years, and to remain his friend for many more. Rick’s window at the Daily Reporter was often the only one we could pry open to enjoy a breezy day or the Blue Angels practicing ahead of the yearly air show. He always had a laugh or a moment to commiserate, whatever the day required. Rick’s travels to Asia and relentless creativity inspired me and I will miss him dearly.
I worked with Rick at BridgeTower Media. He was always trying out the next cool thing for our digital ops team and was a great resource for almost any questions. More than anything, I counted Rick as a good friend and enjoyed talking with him every day. He will be missed by all.
This news really stings. I am very sorry and sad for his family and know he will be sorely missed. Although we never met in person, we have shared so many laughs online. We had kept in touch sharing random things since 2002. He introduced me to so much music. We also sent each other artwork, I still have three screenprints on my walls to this day. He was a very talented artist and technologist. He always spoke so fondly of his mother, sister and nephew. I am so sorry for your loss.
I was fortunate to work with Rick at BridgeTower Media. He had such a generous spirit and was always willing to share his knowledge, especially around new and emerging areas. I admired the way he connected with people, and his kindness and collaborative nature made a lasting impression on me.
Please know that his legacy will continue to live on in those of us who had the privilege to learn from him. My deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Rick was an incredibly valued and respected member of the BridgeTower Media family. He was as innovative as anyone we had in the company, and recently took it upon himself to become our internal AI guru. More importantly, he was a great person and didn’t have a mean-spirited bone in his body.
I will always remember my interactions with Rick fondly, and he will be greatly missed. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Rick’s family and those who loved him.
I’m so sad to hear this news. Rick was truly one of a kind – so passionate about travel, food, technology, art, and of course music. He helped me with so many projects and through some tough times. He spoke often about how he loved his family, especially his nephew. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Rick was truly special. His kindness, humor, and spirit lit up every interaction whether about work, music, or technology. I’ll always cherish the time we shared working together. In our short time as colleagues, I admired his warmth, quick wit, and his willingness to create and solve with such generosity of spirit. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.
No matter how a given day was going, Rick always had a way of making things better, whether it was sharing a tip about making a task a little easier, lending a helpful ear about problems or just bringing his quick wit to conversations about work that didn’t always stay that way. He was a special person and I know he’ll be deeply missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
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What a tragic loss. Our dear friend is Rickys nephew Anthony’s father. So we have been blessed to have Ricky as a friend. Having Ricky come to our group gatherings was always a bonus. You may not have seen him in awhile but it was always like you seen him the day before. He was certainly a special person with a loving soul. He could really make you laugh too. His creativity was unmatched. I would always love to talk to him about that stuff like when he got his 3d printer. He made us a Keychain of his face lol. Our sympathies go out to his friends and family especially to our bonus son Anthony and Rucha.
In 2007, I was a middle-aged technological dunce assigned by The Dolan Company to interim-edit The Daily Reporter. I showed up Monday morning and realized I was so overmatched by the paper’s computer system that all I wanted to do was climb back aboard the rickety elevator, press the down button and escape into Greater Milwaukee, where my ignorance would go unnoticed. Instead, Rick stepped forward, chuckled discreetly at my ineptitude, then said, in effect, “I’ll get you up to speed.” I’m not sure I ever achieved “speed,” but whenever I was baffled or overwhelmed, Rick (and others) helped me feel comfortable, not stupid. I can’t say I ever became a Green Bay Packers fan, but ever since I have remained an avid fan of Rick, who would have been justified in declaring me hopeless, but instead, patiently and with good humor, saved my job. Too late, I say, “Thanks, Rick. You were a friend when I most needed one.”
I sure was lucky to have known Rick. Working together at the Daily Reporter, he brought the party. He also brought a drive to try new things and a gift for building up those around him. Once, we got run off by security when we flew a drone over the Foxconn campus in Racine County to film ongoing construction work. Even though he was our digital editor, Rick was eager to head out into the field and captain a drone, even if it meant drawing some heat. We had a good cackle over the rush of getting busted when we drove away from the site.
On other trips out of the office, we’d make a point of grabbing lunch somewhere. Rick loved trying new foods: gyros from a roadside stand in Racine, Jamaican cuisine in Madison or a Hmong restaurant in the Fox Valley. He was an accomplished cook himself and often bragged about the bbq or stir fry dishes he’d make for friends and family.
You wanted to be around Rick because he brought that sort of enthusiasm to whatever he was doing. He had enough curiosity and stoke to go around. Rick was generous in making you feel you could travel the world, learn a new skill or try something new like he did. That’s a feeling I can carry with me from knowing Rick. And I sure feel lucky.
I was saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. He was such a good-hearted soul. I had the pleasure of working with Rick at The Daily Reporter. Rest in Peace my friend! You will be missed by all.
I was shocked and saddened when I heard about Rick’s passing. I questioned how someone so full of life, so young, so vibrant, so admired and loved could simply perish without warning. Rick had a certain zest for life and a yearning to experience it fully. And he did. He seemed to be able to balance work and play, and that in itself, is the secret to a well rounded, happy life. Working with Rick at The Daily Reporter for many years before my retirement enabled me to see him as a man dedicated to his family, his passions and his work. He was smart, funny, helpful and kind. And that laugh! Just made my day, every day. Just loved the guy! Will never forget you Ricky. Rest on peace.
I went to school with Ricky. He reached out to me early in the years of Facebook and apologized for the things he said to me. I loved following his adventures. Prayers for those who feel his loss