Bill Rick, who co-founded Rick Engineering Co. in 1955 and nurtured its growth to about 160 employees by the time of his retirement in 1994, is remembered online at http://www.sandiegometro.com/2004/ feb/brick.php. He was 76. Rick is best known as a leader with a gentle disposition, serving on the city’s Historical Site Board, Park and Recreation Board, Port Commission and finally the California Coastal Commission. While chairing the port, he championed development of the San Diego Convention Center.

Professionally he helped develop individual projects and entire communities throughout San Diego County, assisting in entitlements, planning and engineering, including Rancho La Costa, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch and Santaluz, the former La Jolla Valley. A Point Loma native, he is survived by wife Susan, two daughters, two sons, 10 grandchildren, a brother and some 360 Rick Engineering employees, who “are doing very well,” says CEO Lyle Gabrielson. “I think he was pleased” with the company’s progress.