Rick Flynn

It is with great sadness that I have to report that Rick Flynn died this morning at 6:45 a.m. He was able to see his family the last few weeks, and Jan was with him when he passed.
He truly became one of my friends after meeting him here on Roadfood.
Ann

Oh, that is so sad.  Rick was such a nice man.  I had the pleasure of meeting him on some Roadfood bus tours and then he and Jan took me to a couple of restaurants while I was visiting Natchitoches.  Rick will be sorely missed around here.

I am so sad to hear of Rick's passing.  I had the pleasure of riding with him from Shreveport, LA to Austin to meet up with Bushie where we enjoyed the friendship of Bushie and his wife.  We drove Rick's Porsche.  It was a hoot.
 
I also visited Rick's hometown several times.
 
I spent time with Rick in Nashville and his wife and we enjoyed the evening too much.  He was extremely bright and resourceful.  I enjoyed his theologian ideas.
 
When I spent six months in Houston with my wife who was dying, it was Rick that stayed in contact with me offering his theologian advice and offering to have his fellow priest come by for support.
 
I will miss him extremely.
 
Sincerely and respectfully,
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Athough we never broke bread together, we had an ongoing e-mail and phone friendship. I, too, enjoyed his theologian ideas, and we had a bond both being Episcopal. I called him Padre-and he got such a kick out of that. I could go on and on.....
Rest in peace, Padre.

It is with great sadness that I read this thread.  Rick and Jan once took a Princess cruise to Alaska and I met them at the airport, took them to their hotel, had dinner together and the next day we all went fishing on our boat.  Rick and Jan were so much fun to be with.  Rick, with his usual great humour said, "I'm glad to be on a REAL boat because I am "Princessed out!"
 
Ann, I too called him Padre.  He will be sorely missed. 

Ann,
   Thank you posting this message. As sad as the news is, it gives us all a chance to recall some of the memories this man brought into our lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jan and the Flinn family at this time. 
  Rick was the first Roadfood member We met face-to-face. It was 2004 and we stopped in Louisana to meet he and his wife Jan while on our way out west on our first real Roadfood Centered  roadtrip. He greeted us then with the warmth and the 'automatic' friendship that I believe he shared with all of us.
  Although his late years were restricted by ill-health, Rick did his best to maintain his participation in some of the RF activites and shared lots of stories and experiences thru both his posts and emails to various members.
Here he is at some of the RF gathers in Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee. Rick was a joy to be with, and I will miss his company and his wit immensely. 
  Here Rick describes some Louisiana Hot Sauce to the Austin TX meeting at Kreuz Market. 
  
  
Here Rick blesses the Oysters at Wintzell's in Mobile, AL while Gail (Mrs Seafarer John) records the event  .
 

Here's the gang in Memphis. Padre Rick and his wife Jan are on the far right in the photo. 

:(  Rick was a class act! he will be missed--but i am sure that he is now feasting with some REALLY good friends. Via con Dios, Rick

This is very heartbreaking news.
 
Rick was truly a selfless down to earth great guy.  

I'm grateful  I had the opportunity to meet him in Austin, Mobile and Memphis and get to know him. 
 
I will truly miss him. 

Very sad news. Though I never met him in person, I always enjoyed Rick's contributions to Roadfood. He'll be missed.

Great pictures!

You know, it must be my age but I had a friend pass away yesterday that I had known for better than 30 years and Rick passed away today.  I could not help but reflect how fast life slips away.  I hate to get melancholy but unfortunately this has not been a good day.
 
Like several of you, I have known Rick for some time, ate with him several times, had libation with him several times. shared with him our difficulties.  He was a very good man to know.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

What really surprised me was when Frank, his friend, e-mailed me this morning. I actually took in a breath, and then tears came. A lot.I havent had that reaction in years. God, he was special.

I didn't know the man, but read many of his well thought out posts over the years, may he rest in peace, his family find solace, and my friends here who did have a bond with Rick, enjoy his memory, and live life to the fullest, to the end, as he obviously did, so well!
Edited Monday morning, sorry Bushie, the way I read this, you we're the man at peace with his maker! Thanks to Greymo and Michael Hoffman for the heads up!

I met and ate with Rick on the Nashville tour. he was a great talker and al to of fun to spend time with. i'm grateful i got to know and i am saddened by his passing. thank you to his wife for taking care of him and we will remember him in our thoughts and in the kaddish.

Rest in Peace Rick...  I'll miss your posts and emails.

So sorry to hear this.  Tara informed me via FB.  While I never met Rick personally, I do remember chatting with him in the past either here or by E-mail concerning a certain now defunct pizza chain and the "mafia" who ran it (and our memories of that chain) as well as the gulf coast in general.  Rick, you will be missed.

Rick was a really good guy and lover of life.  I got to know him at the Austin eat-and-greet and a few others along the way.  He will be missed....and no doubt toasted in Nashville next month.  I am sure that if he were in good health, he wouldn't have missed that gathering for the world.

I never met Rick personally, but I remember his posts fondly. I'm sorry to hear this.

A Roadfood loss for all of us...enjoyed the overlap I had with Rick and his wife on a couple of trips.  You're both in my thoughts and prayers!

Rick was a true treasure, it was great to meet them several times, the last being the glee club meeting in Mobile.
 
Paul - I know what you mean about being the day for it.  it has been one of those days here too.
 
i can't wait until we meet again in Nashville and hoist a glass to this great man.
 
Rick you will be missed - RIP

Hello all ,
 
It is sad to hear about Ricks passing . Although I never got a chance to meet him at a Roadfood getogether I feel like a knew him from here .
RIP you will be missed
 
Benzee

Dearfolk,
   This is very saddening. My condolences to his family and all you, his friends.
      Wholeheartedly, Ort. Carlton in Amazing Athens.

It's weird sometimes how the timing of something can strike you. I logged into my Facebook account and it reminded me that today is Rick Flynn's birthday.
 
I really enjoyed swapping stories with fellow Roadfooders back in Nashville about Rick. I had actually forgotten about a few times that we'd been together than other people remembered like it was yesterday. I still think about our friend and remember him fondly.
 
Happy Birthday, Padre.

Steve,
  Thank you for reminding us of this good man. Rick was a very special man, and a great RF traveler. I too, miss his comments and company very much.
AL

I saw the same thing today- a reminder to tell Padre  Happy Birthday. It caught my breath, and I did, indeed say Happy Birthday to my old friend.

Very sad news, Ann.  How much better though you all are for having known him.

All I have to say is he was awesome.........

I missed this the 1st time through.
 
RIP Rick!

Somehow I missed it here as well. Rick was a good man and i enjoyed meeting him and sharing a meal. i miss him.

Saw his birthday announcement on my FB page also the other day.. Brought back some good memories.