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Ric Masten Obituary

Celebrated poet Ric Masten, a Renaissance man who became "poet laureate" of Carmel and wrote 23 books, died Friday at his Palo Colorado home after a nine-year battle with cancer. He was 78. Full story

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Published by Monterey Herald from May 12 to Aug. 17, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Ric Masten

41 Entries

David Deerfeeder

June 26, 2015

I recently bought a "12-String Sermons" LP, and have just finished listening to Side 1. I found "Peace Parade" to be a very moving song. I am sorry that I discovered Ric's work too late to thank him personally, but grateful for this vinyl introduction to his wit, wisdom and wishes. Thank you, Ric.

Rozy Wolfe Mena

February 6, 2015

Dear Billie
I met you and Ric the summer of 1968 at Asilomar my first introduction to the Unitarian Church and LRY. I was 13. Ric's music and presence was a big part of that magical summer conference and left a lasting impression. I especially remember Everyone's Got his own Bag babe! Blessings

Carol M.

November 23, 2014

My mom introduced me to Ric Masten when I was a little girl (I'm 43 now), and I still play his records! She was a Unitarian so I'm thinking that's where she heard of him (I never got to ask her, she died a few years ago of cancer). He brings back fond memories of my childhood and my mom's folk spirit!

Rory Sellers

November 11, 2014

My daughter, Morgan Sellers, who is a surgical resident, asked if I could find Ric's old PC Cancer Odyssey website. She had to deal with a family saying good bye to a loved one, and although Morgan never really read Ric's journal, I had told her many times about the wonderful, joyful way Ric lived his life and died his death, and Morgan knew these were words that could help her. Fortunately, you can still find Ric's incredible journal of staring at death, if you go to the Wayback Machine. It's at http://web.archive.org. Just put in ric-masten.net and click on the timeline that appears, but don't click beyond 2008. (Ric would have loved it that some Japanese company, trying to cash in on traffic to old sites, I guess, has purchased his URL) so any links beyond 2009 take you to a Japanese site!! Anyway, reading some of that old journal, listening in my head to Ric ramble on in that squeaky voice of his, I am reminded of a story he told about his grandfather, being able to recall granddad's pipe smoke and some other bits of identity. Ric mused on the fact that once he himself was gone, the "trick" he called it, of being able to recall the older man, would be lost. I didn't know it when I read that, and could still talk about this kind of thing with the living Ric (whom I knew and loved dearly), that Ric was actually mistaken. That what gives meaning to a life doesn't die with the person; that it lives on in ALL of us for as long as we have an earth to walk on (says this old atheist). One more thing about the Cancer Odyssey. Ric has an index on top of each page, and with each passing year the index grew longer. In the end it stretched across the top of the page in a necklace of nine neat little colored squares, from 1999 to 2007 (his last entry was January, 2008). Ric, no doubt, chose the colors of each of those boxes. I can't recall if he ever revealed the secret he used to pick the color for each year, but if you look at the string, you can see he started out with primary colors, red, blue, and green. The next year he chose magenta, which is a combination of two of the primaries (in RGB-space). But then he ventured off into a cacophony of odd colors. It's almost like at first he only gave himself a few years, but when he saw how he was surviving, he veered off into a colorspace where there was no limit to the number he could choose. So like the man -- open to infinite possibilities to the last (and beyond!).

July 16, 2014

Miss you grandpa <3

Stuart Senghas

June 25, 2014

I remember Ric from when I was a young child at the Unitarian Church in Davis California in the late 1960's. He is my first memory of performed live music and he taught me my first 'dirty words'. Ric's engaging, friendly, and energetic persona with children (and adults) was impressive and when I listen to his records (still) I have fond memories.

Martha Armstrong

October 25, 2013

I enjoyed Ric at the Unitarian Universalist Church in St. Petersburg, FL, and had the honor of conversing with him. A loss of an extraordinary man. He left us great gifts.

Donna Reardon

September 2, 2012

I had the pleasure of meeting Ric and his wife Billie in the mid-80s in El Paso,TX. My husband and I moved to Longview in November 2011 and just recently began attending the Unitarian Fellowship here. I was delighted to find Ric's "Let it Be a Dance" in their hymnal. I took my signed copies of two of his books and one of Billie's to the fellowship today to share. And tonight I am just now learning that the world is without this bright light and has been for some time. He was a sparkle in a sometimes dreary world.

November 14, 2011

i HEARD RIC SEVERAL TIMES AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH IN RESTON, VIRGINIA. MADE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO BE THERE AT EACH VISIT. MY SON ASKED ABOUT HIM TODAY AND SAID HE WANTED TO SHARE RIC'S SONG "HAVE A GOOD DAY" WITH HIS WIFE BECAUSE I ALWAYS SANG IT TO MY CHILDREN AS THEY LEFT FOR SCHOOL EACH MORNING. GOT THEM TO SCHOOL ON TIME! HE WAS A VALUED PART OF MY LIFE FOR MANY YEARS. Virginia Dalton ( Hazel Green, AL)

Layne Longfellow

December 4, 2010

And tomorrow morning, at the Prescott Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, I will "do" Ric - not an impersonation ( who could?) but anecdotes and readings.

Jane Sentner

August 1, 2008

Dear Masten Family,
I remember in 1968 Ric came with his guitar and sang for me and my fellow 4th graders in Mrs. Kohner's class at Carmel River School, and to this day I remember "Everybody's got his own bag, babe", "Waterhole" and "Palomino". He is a sweet memory of sweeter, uncomplicated times and for that I have always remembered him. I was born and raised in Carmel from 1959-2000, and feel special to have known him just for that 1 hour as a child. I am sorry for your loss, but he has lived in my heart for 40 years, and I will always remember him.

Pete McQuillin

July 22, 2008

When Ric came through Pittsburgh many years ago he held a workshop at Sunnyhill, (the UU Church of the South Hills). He asked us to open our hymnals to "Let It Be a Dance" and change the word "bear" to "bare" in the last verse.

"The UUA never could get it right," he said.

Through his poetry and web site, Ric could always "bare the pain" with grace and poignancy.

Then, eight years ago, when I suffered a dark period of depression myself, I turned to Ric's poetry to ease my pain. I had some email conversations with him then, and he sent me a little poem I think helped me turn the corner on my disease.

"Loved that man!" His death leaves a big hole in my heart.

Dom Luiz

July 21, 2008

Hi Billie & family,
My name is Domingos Luiz and I am a long time friend of Carlos Diaz who is married to Billie's sister Beverly.
I first met Ric when he joined Carlos & I on a wild pigeon hunt in Chew's Ridge. Ric painted a picture of Carlos & I walking through the modrone trees while hunting. Beverly still has that painting. I also remember when Ric & Billie moved to PaloCalorado Canyon. Carlos & I visited them one day when Ric was busy digging the hole for a swimming pool with a shovel. My first thought was, "This guy's nuts!!!". He was digging in sweltering heat. Even without the heat, it's a real task.
But that's the way I remember Ric. When he set his mind to do something, he did it.
I alway enjoyed his company. It was always pleasant to talk with him about a variety of subjects.
My condolences to the family. He will be greatly missed.

Cindy Lloyd

June 29, 2008

To all the Masten family,
I don't know when I didn't know Ric, or Ricky, as I knew him when we were kids. He was a big kid, so much older and wiser and full of fun. We camped at Bixby Creek and visited on Hatton Road, our mothers smoking and talking constantly!
Years passed and the gap between our ages narrowed until we seemed the same ageless age. I came to appreciate his honesty, reason, clarity, humor, creativity and sense of fun. Introducing him to my children by way of art, poetry or music was a joy. They, too, have become adults, admiring Ric for the wisdom he shared in rhyme, line and music.
His memorial service was a happening the likes of which I will savor for the rest of my life. As soon as I arrived home, I whipped out my cassette player, inserted his tape and he's been singing to me ever since. Thankfully, he can't hear me joining in!
My heart aches for your loss of his physical being, but he taught you how to love and care for one another.
Please give Billie Barbara a special big hug from me.
Love,

Ann Monahan

June 24, 2008

Knowing Ric and Billie was a highlight of Mike's and my life. Mike and Ric were friends from the age of 6..playing "Little Selves" together...I take comfort in the knowledge that they are doing so right now...I know, however, that those of us left behind on earth are left with a hole in our heart....my sympathy to all of you...

love,

ann monahan

Marvin Gatch

June 23, 2008

I got to know Ric and Billie many years ago (the 70s?) while driving them around to appearances in Denver. Now I share Ric's cassettes with my 6-year-old granddaughter, as the circle continues.
Thank you Masten family for sharing Ric with all of us.

Misty Van Staaveren

June 1, 2008

I've been a subscriber to Ric's one liners for years. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed.

phil wales

May 29, 2008

april and family
sorry about your father I remember are bbq in the 70s .April you and Iwhere at max wells . Love phil
phil 625-0595

phil wales

May 29, 2008

april and family
sorry about your father I remember are bbq in the 70s .April you and Iwhere at max wells . Love phil

Lisa Casey

May 28, 2008

Ric was one in a million, wasn't he! He will be missed. He's still dancing...

Tzila "Z" Duenzl

May 22, 2008

To the best wordsmith I've known: your words and drawings live on to inspire, humor, encourage, and reveal all that it means to be human. Thank you for the great gift you have given us all. And to the Masten family...my heart is with you; thank you for taking such good care of such a treasure. Love, love, love....

Cathy Naghitorabi

May 21, 2008

Dear Ric (I know you're reading this!) and family,
Ric was a blessing on the Earth and he will be sorely missed. Our family took so much comfort in his words and music in times of sorrow. I hope you can find similar comfort now.

Tonie Darling

May 19, 2008

I first met Ric when I was a teen, and he came and sang at an LRY weekend conference. I was so amazed by not only his songs, but how beautifully he related to everyone. We all felt special. I can never sing "Let it be a Dance" without thinking of him swaying around as he sang. I'm 55 now, and he is still in my thoughts.

Rev. Fred Keip

May 19, 2008

Ric was a good friend and colleague. Being with him was always both a joy and an enlightening experience. May his poerty and music continue to instruct and delight through the years.

Sherry Swezey

May 18, 2008

To Ric

I met a word magician,
Who could catch
A hummingbird, butterfly
or even a fly
with his net of magic words.

But the part about his magic
I like the most
Is -
When he catches our love
and gives it back
to all the world,
Disguised as
ordinary words on a page!

To Billie Barbara

I met a sister woman
following the same path
I am taking,
We walked a Way together,
Sharing our twists and turns,
stumblings, hard rocks,
bruises and pains
of such a journey;
And paused by a waterfall
sharing our love,
knowing -
We'll never be alone again
as we continue on our Way.

For Ric and Billie Barbara Masten

from Rowe - 5/84

Nonnie Simmons

May 17, 2008

Dear Family of Ric Masten,
My heart goes out to you in the loss of your precious Ric.
He will be truely missed by those who waited each week for his poems,drawings and cancer updates to appear on his website.
He was a kind and gentle
man whose words and songs made a better world for us all.
Thank you Ric Masten for sharing your "dance with us."

Dave Scheffer

May 16, 2008

Ric will be missed! I'm Melinda Douglas' "little" brother and can remember the day back in the late 60's when their Ric-designed & built fireplace was installed - there was a big party - Ric dedicated it with a poem and a song. I just thought he was so cool (and he was!). My condolences to all the Mastens. We're all better for knowing him!

John Teichman

May 16, 2008

Ric Masten's view of the North Star added to my own sense of direction: a sense of wonder, purpose and wholeness.

Joseph Lucido

May 16, 2008

Didn't see much of Ric over the last so many years ...
But with the advent of e-mail ... we shared a great deal of humorous exchanges, and wisdom expressions via the medium ...

A few times back in the day, when we were on the road at the same time and happen to be in the same place, somewhere in America,
Ric got a kick out of the fact that somehow I would find him and show up to catch his performance ...

He never forgot that ...

So here's a cosmic E-mail:
Yo Ric ... You know I luved ya my good, good man ...

Ric Masten & Joseph Lucido - 1975

May 16, 2008

Elaine Giampietro

May 14, 2008

Our lives are all far richer because Ric touched them in so many ways. I suspect he's still dancing, though missing his Billie Barbara and families as much as they miss his physical presence.

Billie Barbara, how blessed you are to love and be loved.

Sending warm hugs from 'Spaghetti Hill'!

Dann Reid

May 13, 2008

Hi all, friends and family.

Sarah entered below about Ric visiting our UU in Traverse City, MI. I remember that visit well. Our mom and step father were grand fans of his and so too we became so. I still have an actual vinyl copy of the Homesick Snail which I can't play for technological reasons. I know losing anyone to death hurts, cancer somehow makes it seem all the more harsh. I hope our well wishes smooth the rough edges of your pain, for that is, I think, all we can do save keep fond memories of Ric in our minds and remember his love. Be well all.

Charles Fulks

May 13, 2008

Ric was a fine poet, excellent song writer, and wonderful person. He is already missed.

Wanda Ammons

May 13, 2008

Words seem inadequate at a time like this... but I have to tell Ric's family & friends that he made such a lasting impression on my heart! My only regret is that I never met him face-to-face. I got to know him through his Words and One-Liners and his ongoing PC Odyssey... then I e-mailed him a few years ago and we e-mailed back and forth several times in the last few years. We tried to arrange a time to meet (Ric and Billie Barbara) at Rocky Point Restaurant (one of my favorite places, and apparently their's, too) but our schedules just never worked out on any of my trips to Monterey/Big Sur.

In one of my e-mails to him I asked him to hug Big Sur for me (as that is where I go to renew my spirit)... and he responded back: 'I just gave a Big Hug to Big Sur for Wanda' and he signed it with ':o) the ricster'. I loved that response!

Ric Masten was larger than life! I will miss him and know what a void his passing will leave in your lives. But his spirit will always remain and my guess is when you least expect it he'll let you know he's still with you!

My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

sunny lockwood

May 13, 2008

I've known and admired Ric since the early 1970s, when I heard him read his poem "The Deserted Rooster" early one Saturday morning on KGO Radio. At the time, I had a small public relations business in the Bay Area. Ric became a client for a while and we had a real adventure getting him on TV, radio and in the various newspapers around northern California.

His caring insight, expressed often in humor, has enriched my life and his friendship over the years has been deeply appreciated.

My husband and I last saw Rick Dec. 9 at Rocky Ridge Restaurant not far from his Palo Colorado Canyon home.

And two weeks ago, I phoned to share some good news and listen to his latest discovery, which was that love is all. Love of family. Love of friends. Love of life. Just plain love.

So I extend my love to his wife, children and grandchildren. It is clear that love surrounded all of you during these last few weeks together. May that continue.

Ric's physical presence is deeply missed. But he is no longer suffering and for that I am grateful. And his spirit lives on in his work.

Roxanne Canepa-De Flavis

May 13, 2008

I was introduced to Ric 24 years ago and have enjoyed Ric's poetry about Life in General. My condolences and sympathies to the family at this time and most likely Ric is doing "his dance" while watching over his family and friends.

Mom (Elizabeth Priest) and I - July 2007

Sarah Reid

May 13, 2008

Dear Masten Family and Friends,
I was very saddened to hear of the loss of a great poet and song writer. I first met Ric when I was 9 years old. He came to our UU church in Traverse City, MI where he sang and read for us. My parents were UU members for years. My mother died this past summer from cancer that also spread to the brain. It is the most precious time to be with a parent - sharing that moment when death comes in. And it is a gift to see the arrow coming. So many sunsets and talks on the porch swing have much more meaning, knowing that the arrow is in the air. Thanks, Ric for your wonderful, funny, uplifting words. Mom loved your work. I have copies of Mom's Masten books on my desk at work. It often brings me peace and a smile to my face reading them.

Marguerite Kirsch

May 12, 2008

Dear Billie Barbara, Children and Grandchildren,
Please accept my deepest sympathy at your loss and my gratitude for your care of Ric during these last years. My life has been greatly enriched by his ministry of song and poetry.

Sincerely,

Eliza Monroe

May 12, 2008

Sad to hear of Ric's passing but so glad I got to know him and his good work, not only with his poetry per se but with his cancer chronicles. And from what I hear he was a pretty good dad, too. He helped me through a difficult time after the passing of a mutual friend, mostly by listening and acknowledging my grief. My life has been enhanced by my association with him. At least I know I will never be too old to dance!

Jan Elders

May 12, 2008

Oh how I remember Ric! We were all young then and he came to UUCA (UU Congregation of Atlanta) in Atlanta Ga.
He had boundless energy and put on a great show for the children. He then participated in our Sunday morning service and I was so impressed with his singing, his energy and his spirituality expressed through his music. I have followed him from a distance all these years and knew he was ill for the last few. The world has lost a great spirit and I will miss him very much.

Jan Elders
UU Beloved Community
Savannah, GA

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