Fire Captain Rick Addicks, a 22-year veteran of the fire service, left a lasting mark on his community. He began his firefighting at the all-volunteer Stinson Beach Fire Department after moving to the remote seaside town. Rick was practicing law at the time, having graduated from UC Berkeley Law School. Soon he realized his true passion was firefighting. Choosing a life of service, he joined the Ross Valley Fire Department full time.

Rick worked tirelessly to strengthen and advance the fire service in Marin County. He loved being on the Marin County Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force and the OES Water Rescue Team. There he responded to some of the region’s most urgent emergencies.

Rick was an Executive Board Member, Shop Steward, and Labor Negotiator for L1775 and the Ross Valley Firefighters Association.

One of Rick’s proudest contributions was helping to found the Marin Professional Firefighters Behavioral Health Team. He was a trained Peer Supporter Leader and mentor to many. He offered care and guidance to firefighters navigating the toll of their profession. He served as team lead of the North Bay Regional Critical Incident Stress Team and became the face of this project.

Rick continued to practice law while being a firefighter. He had a rare ability to excel in many things while remaining humble and generous with his talents. He was not just accomplished in these two professions. He was an avid surfer, outdoorsman, guitarist, poet, writer, and cook.

At 54, Rick was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer, a battle he met with courage and resilience. For six months, he remained strong and active despite difficult treatments. Even in his final months, when complications set in, he continued to be a source of wisdom and positivity.

Rick’s legacy of service continued after his passing when Marin County began offering state-of-the-art testing for esophageal cancer, free of charge, to ALL current and retired firefighters, extending the reach of care beyond his lifetime.

Rick is survived by his wife, Kristen Dowd Addicks; his children, Skye Addicks and Casey Addicks; and his parents, Carla Addicks and Gary Jones. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the colleagues he served alongside, and the countless lives he touched through his unwavering devotion to service. His loss was so deeply felt throughout the fire service and his community. He was honored with a moving memorial service that reflected the magnitude of his impact.