Richard Carlos Booth II, 49, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, at his home in Genesee, Idaho from cancer.
Rick, or RB as his many friends knew him, was born in 1952 in Lynnwood, California, to Jean and Richard Booth, who now reside in Ojai, California. He grew up with his sisters, Deborah Goetze (SPHS '68) of Coeur d'Alene, Jacalyn Booth (SPHS '73) of Ojai, CA and Teri Sittner (SPHS '71) of Carlsbad, CA, and his brother, Gary Booth (SPHS '74) of Santa Cruz, CA. He was known as "Ricky Ticky Time Bomb" by his siblings and childhood friends.
Rick was an outstanding athlete. At South Pasadena High School he led his team to an undefeated season and a state championship. In his senior year, Rick earned the prestigious AAA CIF Player of the Year award. He played for Menlo College and Pac 10 football for Cal Berkeley. In 1999, he was selected by a southern California newspaper for the All-Century Team for being an outstanding linebacker.
Rick met Meg Dampier while they were both playing club rugby in southern California. They were married in San Marino and fell in love with Idaho on their honeymoon trip. They moved to the Harpster/Grangeville area in 1981 and began their family. They have two children, Elise, 18, a student at Linfield College and Warren, 14, a student at Genesee Junior High School.
Rick was partners with Rick Fryer (SPHS '70), his lifelong friend, in a small construction company in Idaho County until 1985, when the family returned to southern California. In California, Rick made a successful career as superintendent in commercial constructions on major buildings. In 1994, the family returned to the serenity of Idaho and settled in Genesee. Continuing his career, Rick supervised the construction projects for Contractors Northwest Inc.
He was an avid athlete and outdoorsman. A lover of whitewater sports and big waves, he kayaked rivers in California and Idaho and rafted the Grand Canyon. In all the activities Rick enjoyed, he shared his passions with others. From backyard football games to weeklong raft trips with seven other families, his love was contagious and enriched the lives of his family and friends. Some of his other favorite pastimes were gathering annually with his longtime friends, reading and trying to catch fish.
While in California and Genesee, he spent many wonderful seasons coaching, watching and guiding Elise and Warren in football, basketball, soccer, track, baseball and softball. His advice "Keep your eye on the ball" was meant as a way to live. For the past two years, he served as the tackling dummy/coach for the Genesee Junior High football team. Encouraging positive thinking and modeling sportsmanship and dedication, Rick was an inspiration to everyone.
Rick shall be forever loved and missed by the many people whose lives he has touched.
Lewiston Morning Tribune, February 20, 2002
David Mallgrave (1970)
Ricky, you were and are one of my heroes. There isn't a month that goes by that I don't think of our great youthful years. Would and will go back to back with you in any situation.
David Mallgrave
Scott Farrow (1970)
I've thought about writing for a while, and sorry I've waited so long. Rick's obituary says a lot. About the last time I saw him, he and Rick Fryer took several of us for a white-water raft trip up in Idaho. He and I were on good terms ever since playing football together but I had to grow out of being afraid of him (including a Jr. High face off that came out about even). It was a good feeling that we were team-mates and ever since I had good vibes with him. Sorry I took so long to write Rick, you deserved better. With respect, Scott
William P 'Mike' Weible (1970)
Scott, I well remember when Rick's family came to South Pas. Around 4th or 5th grade, I think. They moved in to what I thought was a fancy house on Kolle, not far from the house where I grew up. About the same time Tom "Buck" McCue moved just down the hill from Ricky's house, and for a good long while those two were inseperable. I was the furthest from all of you athletes; fat and four-eyed, but Rick treated me well - with the notable blast of the rubber ball we used at Lincoln School to play "foursquare". I likely could still flinch at that...just the thought of it. You guys - and especially Rick - gave us the gift of that spectacular undefeated football season. I'm thinking you were also undefeated at basketball? Well, what a year. As we head in to the twilight it makes sense to recall these kids we grew up with. In many ways compared to today, we had an idyllic childhood. It's good to keep that perspective, I think. Thanks for your thoughtful rememberance of Rick. I can still see him - checkered shirt and dungarees, riding his bike down Kolle as fast as he could. Fearless, he was.
weible