Tributes to Ricky

Jim Haught
Editor-Scale Auto Magazine

(Ricky's) passing leaves a large void in the car-modeling scene.

He was known for innovation, creativity, and liberal use of Bondo and machined parts in his custom models. He was a great admirer of Augie Hiscano, and his models reflected that.

But more than that, Ricky epitomized the phrase "gentle giant." He was a big man, with a kind, sensitive soul that was just as big. He was a friend to me, and many other modelers, and he cannot be replaced. We're working on some ways to honor Ricky at upcoming shows, and we'll keep you posted on those developments.

To his family and many friends, our thoughts are with you.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Gregg Hutchings
Editor - Model Cars Magazine

I am at a loss for words. Ricky was always such a great guy, a real true friend, and someone I enjoyed looking forward to seeing at shows.

John Larkin
Kingsport, TN

There are no words that can convey what this man meant to me and my family. We met because of model cars.......but we became much more than friends.

Ricky, thanks for being a "mentor" to my son (and myself), thanks for always having the "right" thing to say when I needed to hear it, but most of all, thanks for being a part of my "family" for the past 20 years.

I am a much better person for having known you. Rest in peace, my "brother".

Debbie Clark
Greenville, SC

I wanted to share a sweet memory of the last time I saw Ricky and Karen together. I am a friend and co-worker of Karen's. You could often see Ricky and Karen having lunch together.

On this particular day, I was in the Drive Thru at Backyard Burger when I spotted Karen and Ricky leaving Rafferty's. I watched as they kissed and embraced as they were parting in the parking lot. It seemed to me they lingered a few minutes just wanting to be together. I thought to myself - what a truly loving and devoted couple.

I teased Karen when we got back to the office and told her that I had spied on them during lunch and watched as she got a big kiss from Ricky.

The love they had for each other was always so apparent. Karen and Ricky lived life to the fullest!

What a beautiful marriage between two very special people. I believe their love for each other will live on like the memories of the wonderful life they shared.

Tommy May
Birmingham, AL

Ricky was a dear long time friend of mine...
I was very proud to have been his friend as were many others.

We'll always miss you, Buddy...

Kenny "K-dog" Shores
Kernersville, NC

Ricky was what you could call a true friend. He didn't care who you was or what you did people where all the same to Ricky. "Friends"

Everytime I pickup a tube of glue or a sheet of plastic or open a can of bondo he'll be in my thoughts. A little over a year ago he gave me one of his creations called "It". That meant more than I could ever tell him.

We worked together on the decals for the Ricky's Tiki and it made us both smile when he completed it and that my friends will be the most I'll miss about Rickys passing. The wonderfull felling when you have a laugh with a very special person.

GODSPEED Ricky From Your Friend, Kenny Shores

Tim Kolankiewicz
Birmingham, AL

(Ricky) wanted to give (the Pink C5 Corvette he built) to Pat Covert for writing a feature about one of his other models. Pat wasn't at the show we were at so he gave it to me to pass on to Pat. It was neat to see how he built that model. I believe it was on the last cover of Car Modeler.

A couple of years later I had the chance to stop by Ricky's house on my way to Charlotte with my younger brothers. He made sure that there was plenty of pizza and beer (although he didn't drink). We got to see his workshop "and all that". You'd look at something and say "Oh, that's cool", more often than not, his answer was "Well take it with you". That was the kind of guy he was.

He demanded that I take the orange C5 Corvette that he built shortly after the pink one. He said since Pat had the pink one, I had to have the orange one. That's the kind of guy he was.

Godspeed to Ricky's family and many, many friends, he will be missed.

Larry Mulkey
Spartanburg, SC

I met Ricky about 10 or 11 years ago, but got to know him closer the past couple of years,and I assure you I will always miss him, not only for modeling, but for being able to laugh at and with him.

Also me and Cathie will always have a place in our heart for Karen. As for Jerel, Tod, Trae, John and all the rest of his friends, we will always share a tear and many great memories about Ricky "TIKI."

Love you brother, see ya in Heaven!

"MULK"

Matt Guilfoyle
Westminster, Maryland

I first met Ricky at the NNL held in Knoxville in the Mid-Nineties. Always a true Southern “Gentle man” and unique character. I generally seemed to require a “Ricky to English” dictionary until my ear became accustomed to his voice (just like my South Carolina relatives!). His creations always stirred interest and comments.

I have the distinct honor of having one of Ricky’s models in my display case. At the Second Knoxville NNL, Ricky donated a “Couch Customized” VW Corado for the auction. I set my sights on it and was able to finally bring it home once the other bidders realized I wasn’t leaving without it. I asked Ricky to autograph it for me, which he graciously did. That in itself is another funny “Ricky” story.!

I’ll miss him at shows, especially in Maumee at the annual After NNL Ground Round Restaurant Fiasco Dinner extravaganza with a large group of friends from all over the county.!

A true loss to those fortunate enough to have known him, in person and through his work.!

Ken Hamilton
Scale Auto Magazine Tips & Techniques

An imaginative and talented modeler to say the least. Those fortunate enough to have met him will certainly never forget him, and Matt's reference to a "Ricky-to-English" dictionary is right on the money. ."

There's a big hole in the hobby today.

Ted "Chopper" Lear
Lexington, KY

I've been knowing Ricky for about eight years now and it's sad to know that he is not with us anymore . My prayers are with his wife karen and his family. God speed Ricky.

Lyle Willits
MAMA Member

I met Ricky at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in August, 1993, at a large model car event. He was displaying an absolutely incredible replica of Scotty Cannon's promod car. I was just blown away by the detail. I found him to tell him what a fantastic model that was and I found that this large imposing figure of a man was quite shy, gentle, and almost child-like.

The huge smile remained on his face the entire time we talked. For the next 13 years, every time I saw Ricky at a show, that smile was always there. You can't think about Ricky without picturing that smile.

It's hard to believe it was only 4 months ago that we had a great time, once again, at our "normal" rowdy dinner after the Toledo NNL.

The greatest thing I've ever found in this hobby are the people who become your friends. The worst thing I've found is that, one by one, they leave. I guess as long as Ricky remains in our memories, he isn't really gone. Rest in peace, big man.

Don Franklin
Charleston, SC

As a fellow member of the South Carolina modelers Association I had the honor to have my models displayed in the same class as his at our contests. I do not dare say compete because you did not compete with his creations. He had the imagination to think outside of any box and the skill to bring his imagination to life.

He was a gentle giant in size and in heart. His wife informed us that he held a special place in his heart for children, especially those with special needs. The modeling community has lost a special innovater and creator well before his time , but he may have an even higher calling where he is now with the children he loved so much.

Simon P. Rivera Torres
Puerto Rico

I met Ricky at the last GSL. I never forget how he took of his time to explain me the way he made the model bases that he was using to display his models. For my big surprise, at the end of the show when everyone was packing up their stuff, he gave me all of them as a gift!

Ron DeRoxtro
Spartanburg, SC

I was "shocked" about him passing away!!...He is a very sweet man I known him for 11 years...Just like Richard Petty is the KING of NASCAR and Ricky Couch is the KING of all the modelers....There is NO WAY I could beat him at any model contests!!!..He is the BEST one on earth....He will be missed and may he rest in peace...and my prayers go out to his families, friends and fellow members...

Scott Kirkham

Having known Ricky for many years, and always admiring the amazing work he did and his humble, gracious manner, I am deeply saddened. I heard about Ricky's condition before he passed, and hoped beyond all hope that he would make it through. He was taken far before his time, and we've lost a driving force in the model building world.

His innovation and completely outside-the-box style were always a breath of fresh air in the sea of sameness, and his willingness to share what he did, how he did it and why he did it were an example all should follow in the hobby.

Sail on Ricky. I'll miss you friend.

Darin Bastedo

I met Ricky numerous times while attending shows throughout the South. Before meeting Ricky my idea of customizing was simple some paint, some minor body mods and custom wheels.

But about ten years ago I met him, and while explaining how he did one of his cars, (a pink C5 vette IIRC) he also gave me insight into how he envisioned a model before building.

Each meeting I had with him a learned a lot in just a little time. He was always very friendly and willing to share techniques, and give a fellow modeler a helping hand. In a way I am lucky to have gone through the episode with the young lady who faked my death earlier this summer. I was able to hear, while still alive the great things my fellow modelers said about me when they thought I had passed. (thankfully nobody said "It's about time!")

But seriously, I don't know what your theories about the afterlife are but I hope that Ricky can hear what the model building world has said about his passing. But I think now it is up to the living to remember to let the people who insipre us, know how thankful we are to them while they are still living, and to appreciate the good friends we have.

Steve Hinson

A very sad day for the model community. Ricky will be missed. I've had the pleasure of meeting him twice, and he was always such an enthusiastic character to talk to. Ricky reveled in the hobby, both in his work and his appreciation of others!

Kit Karson

There once was a man from Greenville
He created art with inspiration from Freedomville
The results were always exciting and full of detail
He will be missed and not forgotten in Modelville...

There are boxes too many live, work and stay in But Ricky, you always thought and built outside of your box And, you always said you loved my work and encouraged me. I'll miss you, my friend and your inspiration to our hobby I always felt the desire to better my skills to catch up with you.

My models all pale in comparison to your artful creations Know that you will be one of my All American Idols