Richard Joseph “Rick” Winquest
June 6, 1955 – June 14, 2023
Rick was born and raised in Omaha, NE. Being fifth of seven children, he grew up with so much life and love surrounding him. Early on, he discovered his great love for music. Little did he know, that love of music would end up being such a major part of his life. He started playing the drums at age seven, then went on to learn the guitar and many other instruments. At age 15, he was in his first rock band. He would then go on to be in several other bands (Kickin’ and Hit-N-Run to name a couple) and recorded several albums. This eventually led him to make the big move to California to pursue his dream of being in the music industry. After working his way up the ladder in numerous Los Angeles recording studios, he found himself up with some of the best scoring engineers in Los Angeles, many of whom mentored him along the way. In the years to follow, he became an established and in-demand scoring engineer for the film and music industry. He had such an ear for music and was so wonderful at his craft. He mentored many new and upcoming recording engineers, just as his mentors did for him early on in his career.
After a very successful career in the music industry, Rick decided to change his career path and join the Event 360 group. He acted as Production Manager, Site Manager and Technical Director for large scale events, which has helped raise nearly $1B for charities regarding breast cancer, suicide prevention, AIDS treatment, Multiple Sclerosis research and many others. He was a consummate mentor and teacher to younger employees and maintained a reputation for being detailed to the extreme and never losing his cool in difficult situations. Although this position became a huge part of his life, his passion for music never wavered. During this time, he continued acting as a part-time engineer, recording orchestras for albums by the Montreal Symphony and Canadian artist Gino Vannelli. He pushed his amazing talent to extreme with this piece, as he recorded it in his home, while the orchestra was thousands of miles away in Canada! He was so proud of this project, which would end up being his last. He left us with such a beautiful last piece, that we will cherish forever.
Rick was an avid golfer and loved spending time on the green with his brothers and great friends. He loved the Dodgers! Up until the very end, Rick lived life FULLY and courageously. He left a beautiful legacy behind in everyone he came in contact with. Rick loved life, music, his daughters, his grandchildren, family and friends to the fullest and everyone loved him back. His smile was infectious. His laugh was one of a kind. He was a treasure that we will all hold dear to our hearts forever.
“I’m gonna drive all day, drive all night
I’m gonna keep on driving
Till I meet you in the sunlight.”
-Rick Winquest
He is survived by his beloved daughters, Ashley Winquest (Omaha, NE); Chloe Haaland (Sherman Oaks, CA); beloved grandchildren: Bella, Noah, Maverick and Evangeline (Omaha, NE); siblings: Chris Garner (Brad) Winthrop, WA, Lynn Broderick (Mike) Aurora, WV, Colleen Winquest Houston, TX, Robert Winquest Hitchcock, TX, Ronn Winquest (Mary Lou) Valley, NE, Edmund Winquest (Wendy) Scottsdale, AZ; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Marilyn (Kunkel) Winquest, and father, Robert Edwin Winquest.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Thursday, July 6th at 10am at Calvary Cemetery, followed by CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE at 12noon at Lifegate Church, 15555 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha 68154.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to City of Hope in memory of Rick at ourhope.cityofhope.org/RickWinquest.
To view live broadcasts of the Services, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
12 Comments
Our deepest condolences to Rick’s family – friends – business associates and ourselves…as our hearts are broken. We will miss Rick forever. The American Indians once said…”If the eyes had no tears – then the heart…would have no rainbow.” May Peace and Love be with Rick all through eternity.
We will miss you Rick
As young as 12 years old would probably be my first memory of this absolutely handsome man! Even as a child, he was so nice to me and just a geniune person. His smile and laugh as stated above, were so memorable, and I have so many fond memories. Acting like true rock stars in Canada! What fun. I feel so blessed to have so many memories. The entire Winquest family were always so welcoming and I guess that comes from their mother, who took so many of us in as her own. May you all cherish your memories of such a wonderful human, and may he be at your mothers side now. Prayers to you all for comfort during these times.
I am proud to have known Rick since I was about 16. Truly one of the nicest men I have ever known. Always with a smile and a laugh. So supportive of his friends and family. And a BIG Husker fan1 A wonderful Dad and Grandpa, he will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
The world is a dimmer place now that Rick’s light burned out on this earthly plane. I know his light is now shining so bright in Heaven, free of all the burdens of this world. Keep smiling down on us and shining your light! I am comforted in knowing you are reunited with our loved ones who have gone before us. Thank you for giving me our beautiful daughter and for waiting for us to get to you! To my dearest daughter Ashley, our grandchildren, and to all of Rick’s family and friends, my heart breaks with yours. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you during this most difficult time. His attitude, courage and strength and all the love and prayers that surrounded him during his tribulations is what carried him through to the very end. He was and will always be loved and sorely missed. Fly high with the angels until we meet again and let the music play!
May your father rest easy!
Ashly, as you know, your Dad was my friend, my roommate, and my bandmate for almost 9 years. I still have the CCCP Russian teeshirt he brought back for me from a recording session there for me. Rick always kept his cool. He was a natural, a better golfer, dancer, drummer, guitarist than I was. We watched the same TV, in horrer on the morning of 9/11. I watched you, Ashley, dance at your high school. You were always the best one, so talented. This was a gift from your father, the natural. Rick will be missed by many who knew him and loved him. My deepest condolences. Your Dad was a true gentleman.
Dear Winquest family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Cindy
So very sorry for your loss
Ashley, my thoughts and Prayers for you and your family, and especially to your children who lost such a loving Grandfather in their early years.❤️
Rick was an amazing man with a huge heart. My condolences to his family and friends. He made the room more happy.
To the Winquest family, The Davis family would like to extend to all of you our condolences and prayers. Rick will be truly missed but thought of often ( his capturing smile, his joyful laugh and his warming heart)..
Those we have loved don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday, perhaps unseen and unheard but always near, held in our hearts so ever dear. Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back at fond memories to help comfort your tomorrows. When you feel a refreshing breeze, hear a Beatles’ song or a warm ray of sun, it is Rick saying hello and he’s having fun.
Wishing the family all the best going forward .
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