RICHARD LICATA

RICHARD LICATA Richard D. Licata, FAIA, 59, beloved husband, father and friend passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family Saturday evening, Aug. 18, 2012, following a valiant battle to survive cancer. Leading by example and giving of himself best typifies the life and career of this truly extraordinary man. Ric was born in Detroit, Aug. 1, 1953, to Richard H. Licata, M.S., Ph.D. Professor of Anatomy and Ethel Wall Licata. In 1976, Ric received his BS in Architecture from the Lawrence Institute of Technology and in 1999 earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. In 2002, Ric received his Masters of Architecture Magna Cum Laude from the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego. With a career spanning 40 years, Ric was, and will always be remembered as a distinguished architect and active advocate of sustainability, the environment, education and the profession of architecture. He met and married the love of his life, Shanna Steenbergen in Reno in 1984, where he established his architectural practice and firm, Licata Hansen Associates Architecture, with his friend and colleague Matt Hansen. Ric was a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1984, and served as President of both the AIA Northern Nevada Chapter and the AIA Nevada state Chapter. In 2009, he was elected to represent the architects of the AIA Western Mountain Region as a Director on the American Institute of Architects National Board of Directors, and in 2011 he was elevated to the highest recognition as a Fellow (FAIA) in the Institute. Recently, Ric received the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, Lawrence Institute of Technology, in Detroit, and he has been selected to receive the AIA Western Mountain Region Silver Medal, recognizing a lifetime of distinguished service. In addition to the enduring structures he designed throughout Nevada, he will be remembered as an extraordinary and loving man with a creative soul. Ric is survived by his wife, Shanna Licata; along with his two sons, Dante and Dominic Licata; Dominic's wife, Leslie Licata, and their two children, Donovan and Faith Licata; as well as his brother, Allen Coulter and family of Michigan; his niece, Heather Webster Goodwin of Colorado; and a multitude of friends, grateful students and colleagues. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada, 780 Del Monte Lane Reno, NV 89511.