Richard Eugene "Rick" Hoitt

1951 - 2025

Richard "Rick" Eugene Hoitt passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, in Tennessee, surrounded by his daughters, where he moved following the passing of his beloved wife of 40 years, Kathy Hoitt, in 2023.

Rick was born Jan. 29, 1951, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Grace and Robert Hoitt. He attended and graduated from Lathrop High School, class of '69. He then became an electrician and joined his mother, Grace, in pioneering the music, audio and video scene in Fairbanks. The downtown business started as Hoitt's Stereo and Strings on Second Avenue, featuring vinyl records and string instruments. Rick and his friends would often gather there, and it quickly became the place to be for Fairbanks youth.

The business then moved to 1698 Airport Way, where Rick took it to new heights building the shop by hand with close friends, where they began to install auto-starts and car stereo equipment. The name evolved into Hoitt's Stereo and Video with Music on the lower level where they sold records, cassette tapes, CDs and event tickets. On the upper level, you could go into the "Boom-Boom" room to experience the sound and vibrations from the custom subwoofer wall. Across sat the store's best mascot, Odie, the blue-fronted Amazon parrot, who always had a choice word or two when the music started. Hoitt's quickly became the hot spot for the next generation of music and car enthusiast alike. Often you could drive by and see the "Car Club" parked outside featuring all kinds of cars from classic muscle to customized low riders most with custom bass systems installed by Hoitt's. Eventually, they relocated to 1616 S. Cushman St. where it became Hoitt's Plaza where he retired around 2014.

Rick was a family man and an avid collector of many things including unique custom Alaskan ivory, art and guns. He would spend the weekends at Harding Lake, barbecuing, boating, taking the kids tubing, and jet skiing. When he wasn't managing the store, he loved traveling where he cruised around the world, and they often took vacations to Hawaii, Mexico and the West Coast. He loved to hunt and fish where he always showed respect to each harvest and trophy. He instilled that same love and respect into his daughters, who now live all across the globe. Losing a son shortly after birth, Rick developed a soft spot for mentoring the youth, passing along behind the scenes knowledge of his entrepreneurial spirit and success.

He is preceded in death by his son, Ryan Hoitt (baby); wife, Kathy (Bradbury) Hoitt; father, Robert Hoitt; and mother, Grace (Palin) Hoitt. He is survived by his daughters, Nickole Hoitt-Hunziker, Victoria Hoitt, Stephannie (Koester) Williams and Kari (Koester) Schader; his sisters and nephew, Julia, Analee, and Kenny Hoitt; and 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Rick had a larger than life personality. He was very kind, generous, charismatic and had a signature sense of humor that he shared with all. His style was iconic with his custom Alaskan gold nugget jewelry, Hawaiian button up shirts, corduroy jeans and aviator glasses. He was stubborn, always had to be right, but had a gentle hand when it came to his family and pulling splinters out of feet at the lake.

There will be no service held per his wishes and instead we will celebrate his grand life every day moving forward. He will be missed immensely and was loved unconditionally by all. In lieu of flowers, please share a favorite memory of Rick or how he impacted your life.