“Use small words, I’m just a dumb concrete guy!”  You better proceed with caution if you fell into this self-deprecating trap from Rick Deneweth.  He was truly a concrete guy.  In fact, if you wanted to rile him up, just say, “pouring cement’” and he would deliver a swift rebuke that cement is only one part of good concrete!  But Rick was not “dumb” by any measure.  He was a CPA and held a law degree, although many that crossed his path wouldn’t know that.  Fancy titles and degrees didn’t impress Rick.  Ideas, progress, execution, competing, and serving a role on a team inspired Rick, and like all good leaders, he delivered on those things himself.  He worked tirelessly to advance causes he believed in such as his businesses, Cherryland, Wolverine, his church, and youth hockey.

Rick held positions on Wolverine’s Board for only six years, most recently as its Chairman.  His property development experience proved vital to Wolverine over the past few years as we undertook an unprecedented growth and acquisition cycle buying land for the Alpine Power Plant and Service Centers, and developing our new headquarters.  Rick provided important guidance to the Board Property and Audit Committees during his tenure, and offered freely his advice when I sought his counsel.  Yet these contributions do not make up my fondest memories of Rick.

Rick Deneweth was a fierce competitor, especially when he felt he was an underdog.  He laughed at good jokes, especially ones aimed at him.  He loved Wolverine’s mission and he loved Wolverine’s employees.  He soaked up our private conversations during which I often shared stories about your individual accomplishments.  He enjoyed hearing about how employees at all levels of the organization fit into the team.  He championed your performance back at home in the Traverse City area, and he was so proud to be a part of the Wolverine team, often telling me that he would get excited on his morning drive to the Wolverine Board meetings.

Rick died unexpectedly last Friday, giving us all a sobering reminder as to how fleeting mortal life can be.  His wife and two boys have to find the strength to pick up the pieces and move on in the face of this bitter blow.  Wolverine’s Board will need to regroup too, and find a new way forward, just as Rick would expect it to.

Please keep Rick’s family in your hearts and prayers this holiday season.  I don’t think Rick would want us to dwell in sadness, nor lament our loss with fancy words, and certainly not fancy food!  I think he would want us to simply pick up our stick, and skate back into the scrum, working hard to look for the next opportunity to score.  Godspeed Rick, I’m going to miss you.