Rick J. Bergquist

Throughout his journey that ended far too soon, Rick Bergquist touched the lives of so many others in his own special way. He was a talented young man with numerous interests that kept him more than busy. Rick was a goodhearted person who was passionate about the things and people he loved. He more recently had become more focused and driven while discovering new interests along the way. Family was an integral part of Rick’s life, and it was when surrounded by loved ones that he was happiest. Life will never be the same without Rick here, but his life and his memory will continue to be celebrated by the loved ones he leaves behind.

The 1990s were a time to remember in American history. It was just as that decade was dawning that the Hubble Telescope was put into orbit, Saturns first began appearing on car lots, and GPS made its debut. Home Alone and Pretty Woman drew record crowds to the theater and music from Erasure, Depeche Mode, and Tears for Fears topped the charts. It was on November 23rd of 1990 that a young couple from Livonia, Michigan, was filled with unspeakable joy as they were blessed with the birth of a baby boy at Providence Hospital in Southfield. Rick James was one of two children born to his parents, Rick A. and Cynthia “Cindy” (McDermott) Bergquist, and he was raised in the family home alongside his sister, Tori. His father owns his own business, Kellerin Equipment Sales, his mom was a barber, dedicated wife and mother.

For the most part Rick experienced a childhood that was typical for the youth of his generation. He loved his guns and weapons beginning when he was only one year old. By the age of two or three, his parents knew that they would have to pack up the family’s cooler filled with water guns in order to get Rick to go along with them to his grandma’s house for a visit. By the time he was five, he was already a hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit. Rick was forever trying to do whatever he could for others to earn a little spending money. He was only 11 when he and a Buddy had a solid foundation laid and a drive to succeed in their own lawn mowing business. Rick also enjoyed fishing when he could.

As a teen Rick continued to be a bustle of activity. He loved pheasant hunting with his Grandpa Evans, and he was a talented skeet-shooter. Rick enjoyed going to Curtis, located in the Upper Peninsula, where he could go jet skiing in the summer while doing his favorite, snowboarding, in the winter. He played some softball on team Kellerin, which was a team that was sponsored by his father. Rick’s mother always joked around and called them the High Doggy's. He adored the family dog, Millie, whom he grew up with. It was very hard on Rick when his beloved companion, Millie, died.

Rick’s family was an important part of his life. Rick was very close to both his Grandma Nellie and Grandpa Jerry, and he would often go to their houses to clean. Thanksgiving and Christmas were special times for family and friends to gather together, and they were most often spent at the Bergquist home. Rick was a proud uncle to his nephew, Ayden Bailey, who was his little buddy. For the past year-and-a-half, Rick had been working alongside his father in his business. His father was so proud to have him on board and enjoyed teaching him the ins and outs of the business. Rick was an asset to his father’s business.

During the past months Rick became more focused and developed his interests. He gained a love for working out, partially because he wanted to learn how to beat his father at arm wrestling! In fact, it has even been said that Rick was a bit OCD when it came to working out! He developed a love for the song “Wheels in the Sky” in more recent days as he had been playing it repeatedly.

With unending love for those around him, Rick Bergquist was a blessing given to those around him. In reflecting on his life we are reminded that each day is a precious new opportunity to spend with the ones we love. Rick was a hardworking man with a good heart and the ability to fully apply himself to whatever task was at hand. With what should have been numerous years left in which to write his life’s song, Rick was taken from the ones he loved. He will be dearly missed while the memories he leaves behind will be forever cherished.

Rick James Bergquist, died November 12, 2013 at the age of 22. Beloved son of Rick A. and Cindy Bergquist. Loving brother of Tori. Cherished uncle of Ayden Bailey. Also survived by many loving grandparents, family and friends. Visitation Thursday 4-9pm and Friday 1-9pm with a 7pm funeral service at the Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (between Merriman and Middlebelt). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Growth Works or Livonia Save Our Youth. Please visit: www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may sign the guest book, share memories or upload a photo.