More reports trickle in. Apparently Rick took his own life earlier today. He had suffered from almost crippling tinnitus for years and apparently was unable to take it any longer. I keep hoping this is some kind of sick joke but three people have confirmed this so I guess it’s true.

jlt, sadly these reports are true, I knew Rick since I was barely able to walk. He was one of my dad’s best friends, and in the last few months my father (Thom Marchionna) had been helping Rick out in trying to help him with work and his personal issues. Rick was one of those guys who I looked up to as a kid and still do, he was and still is the funniest and smartest men I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.

Rick had been fighting depression due to his health, and while I know the details of what happened I feel it inappropriate to mention them here.

However please contact me at isaac@lawndartdesign.com. I feel it important that his friends honor Rick as the amazingly talented, smart, and funny man he was, rather then what his illness had made him become. A great human being I hope wherever he his he’s at peace.

Who’s Rick Tharp?

http://www.tharpdidit.com/

Si

Very unfortunate news. Mr. Tharp’s design work always appeared, to me, to be coming from the heart of a maverick.

A gentle correction: Rick is officially missing. That’s what’s really known at this time. A San Jose police detective is working on the case. People can go to www.wadc.org for information - the Western Art Directors Club has a page that will be updated as information comes in. And you can sign up to be kept informed or to participate in events as appropriate. It’s hard as hell to wait, but that’s where we are with things right now.

I will hope for the best then. I hope the rumors of his death were nothing more than rumors, and I am sorry I helped propagate them.

Rick was a great friend. I have known him since our 2nd year at Miami University in 1971. We shared a house in our last year there. When I went to Australia in 1975 his was one the hardest goodbyes I had to make. He was smart, witty and extremely fun to be around. I have spent most of the years inbetween in Australia so haven’t seen a lot of him since then. We kept in touch and I followed his career in what ever way I could. Those of you who know him will agree that he was a brilliant graphic designer. Not just in an artistic sense, but also in the wit and fun he incorporated in all his work. I miss him enormously. Yes he was a great human being. I too hope that he is at peace.

The Silicon Valley Metro newspaper “Why are we so afraid of our food” issue ran an article about Rick Tharp on pg.6 last week.
there is a download at
http://www.metropdf.com/mt.html

The Los Gatos community newspaper ran an article yesterday, and the SF Chron had an article the day before that. Both contained what I believe are inaccuracies regarding his disappearance, but confirmed Rick’s popularity, renown and dedication to his work and ideals. He is missing, and the loss weighs heavily indeed for many, many people.

Again, I think the best place to check for information is http://www.wadc.org

I remembered seeing this thread a few weeks ago and wanted to make you all aware of an article I wrote about Mr. Tharp. My thanks to Ken (writerguy) for his contributions to the piece. The article was posted on Creative Latitude this past week.

- J.

Jeff Fisher :: Engineer of Creative Identity
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Author: Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success from HOW Design Books

Mr. Tharp’s body has been found and identified. Here’s the latest from the San Francisco Chronicle this morning:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/20/BAGV0DQLB51.DTL

- J.

Jeff Fisher :: Engineer of Creative Identity
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Author: Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success from HOW Design Books

This is so sad. We will miss you, Mr. Tharp.

Rick Tharp’s Body Found
Positive identification was made last night July 18th after the Contra Costa Coroner’s office finished dental DNA testing.
Ricks body was found July 7th. Family members were not contacted until the news article came out in the Contra Costa times on July 15th and was spotted by a friend, who kindly called. Rick Tharp’s request to be cremated can now be carried out.
The Article in the Contra Costa News reads:
Coroner’s deputies are asking for the public’s help in identifying a body found floating in the San Francisco Bay.
The Yerba Buena Coast Guard recovered the body of a man south of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, west of the Richmond Shoreline near Red Rock on July 7, according to a press release.
The remains were turned over to the Contra Costa Coroner’s Office at the Richmond Marina.
An autopsy determined the man died of multiple blunt force trauma consistent with a fall from a bridge or other high structure, the coroner’s office said.
The coroner believes the body was in the water for about a month, making fingerprint identification impossible. Dental and DNA results are pending.
The victim was described as white or Latino and approximately 5-feet-8-inches tall. He was wearing Calvin Klein briefs with white-trim and black-and-gray Nike gym shoes without socks.
Other Information:
Designated contributions to the Rick Tharp Scholarship Fund can be made to: “Western Art Directors Club Rick Tharp’s Scholarship Fund” P.O. Box 996
Palo Alto, CA 94302
Information provided by: Lourdes Pollard Founder/President www.phoenixdatacenter.org