Rick Medlen was born on January 25, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan. The hospital’s namesake, Dr. Brent, delivered him personally, and his parents, JoAnn and J.D. welcomed their first child into the family. Rick was a leader from the start – his kindergarten teacher noted he could make anyone want to do what he wanted to do. He grew up in Livonia with siblings, Dave and Julie, in a house next door to their cousins.

As a young boy, Rick enjoyed eating lunch while watching Soupy Sales, giggling and giggling. At age three he was mesmerized by the trash pick-up and said excitedly, “I gonna be a garbage can man.” He loved hats and was rarely caught without one – cowboy, fireman, or captain’s – and he had a big imagination. During his younger years, his uncle would dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When Rick was 12, his uncle decided to end Santa’s visits. To everyone’s surprise, the noise of sleigh bells filled the house as Rick appeared dressed in the Santa suit. He carried this tradition on for the next 50 years. He spent countless hours on the lake at the family’s cottage in Pinckney, swimming and skiing with his siblings, cousins and friends. He joined the Boy Scouts of America at age eight and advanced through the ranks, earning his Eagle Scout award in 1971.

In May 1970, Rick and Elaine attended a YMCA camp with a group of students from their high school, Livonia Franklin. It’s here where their wonderful 45 year relationship began, as she noticed his sense of humor and thoughtfulness. For her birthday, in place of a cake, he presented her a piece of toast with a match in the center. He then took her on her first rowboat ride, and the two started dating the following week. This September would have marked their 35th wedding anniversary.

Rick and Elaine settled into their first home on a wooded lot in Livonia. They started a family with the birth of their first son, Jeffrey, in 1983. The family soon moved to Farmington Hills where they welcomed their second son, Jason, in 1988. It’s here where the boys spent most of their childhood. Rick was a proud father who participated in his sons’ lives. He was active in Scouts, started a Cub Scout pack at Maria Montessori Center and coached soccer for a number of years.

The family loved vacationing together. They enjoyed camping, houseboating, and trips to the Canadian Rockies. Rick’s interest in scuba diving took the family to Florida and the Caribbean, where the boys learned to dive while Elaine enjoyed relaxing in the sun.

In 1976, through his father’s second marriage to Jo, Rick gained three more siblings, Cheryl, Mike and Lisa. Over the years, the whole family enjoyed spending time together – birthdays, holidays and weekends at the cottage.

Rick was adventurous and welcomed any excuse to be outdoors. He made time for backpacking, camping, hunting, sailing and water sports. As a young man, he rode his motorcycle from Michigan to the Canadian Rockies with close friends. Rick also had a creative side – he appreciated music and loved to cook. He had a knack for whipping up meals from whatever was available.

Rick’s devotion to the Boys Scouts of America was more than just a hobby. His leadership abilities, planning and organizing skills, and his passion for preparing young men for adulthood all lent themselves to his 44-year involvement with Scouting. Rick was Scoutmaster of Troop 263 in Farmington Hills for over 20 years, during which he coordinated numerous campouts, Scouting activities and community service events. He planned and hiked six treks to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where they backpacked for ten days through the southern Rocky Mountains. One of Rick’s proudest achievements was guiding 38 Scouts to the rank of Eagle.

Rick was honest, reliable and never boring. He was a practical joker who loved to surprise people. He could always make a tough situation better by lightening the mood. Rick was easy going and had a great sense of humor. He was thoughtful and considerate, sending his mother a dozen roses and a thank you card on his own birthday!

Rick’s greatest joys in life were his family, his wife, and his two sons. The week before he entered the hospital he expressed to Elaine how happy and content he was. He felt that he had a wonderful family, great friends and was very blessed. Rick will be remembered for his wisdom, unconditional love and contagious sense of humor. He will continue to be an inspiration for others. 

Rick Medlen passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at the age of 62 in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He was the loving husband of Elaine for 35 years; proud father of Jeffrey (Sarah) and Jason; beloved son of JoAnn Carter and J.D. (Jo) Medlen; dear brother of Dave Medlen, Julie Butcher, Cheryl (Rick) Boyce, Mike (Jennifer) Corry, and Lisa Corry; dear brother-in-law of Marilyn (Don) Schlief; and dearest uncle of nine nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 27, 5-8 pm and Thursday, May 28, 2-8 pm at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Rick’s life will be celebrated at a funeral service on Friday, May 29, 10 am, at Antioch Evangelical Lutheran Church, 33360 W. 13 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church, to Boy Scout Troop 263 (memo: Rick Medlen Memorial Fund), c/o Patrick Ahern, 30570 Fox Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331, or to the charity of your choice