Rick Brazeau has proceeded full steam ahead to the Great Tiki Bar in the sky.

He had a fun-filled youth in Stockton, where he and buddies rode bikes to the nearby train yard. Steam locomotives and trains became a lifelong passion. A proud member of Class of 1964 Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, he ran political campaigns, wrote for the student newspaper and learned typing — an unusual male endeavor before the age of personal computers – to improve his excellent writing skills.

Enamored with cameras from an early age, he moved to Arcata in 1966 to study film at Humboldt State College. He was thrilled to have the wonderful Richard Rothrock as one of the Theatre Department’s valuable teachers, and enjoyed learning with his brilliant fellow students.

Articulate and bursting with enthusiasm, he loved to share his knowledge and humor while he taught at the university post graduation. In the early 1970s, after learning the City of Arcata planned to have the Minor Theatre torn down for a parking lot, he and friends decided to rescue the historic building. A number of local merchants heartily supported the project and donated time and materials.

Running a repertory film theatre dulled after a while; he turned his creative energies to advertising and ended up managing MTC Associates until 2004. He and his partners made award-winning TV commercials for Bistrin’s, Pro Sports Center and other clients. His favorite client was a group of commuter airlines, which gave him the opportunity to travel and make lifelong friends.

A student of history and politics, he especially enjoyed guiding political campaigns, spending untold hours helping candidates refine their positions and strategies, all with humor and sound insights. World War II and Hitler fascinated him – he was one of the few Democrats savvy enough to predict a potential dictator would take the presidency in 2016.

But what recap of Ricky B’s life would be complete without mentioning bars? How he loved them so! While every bar on the Arcata Plaza deserved a visit, his special place was Jambalaya (original version, 1973-1999). If anyone heard an order for rye and soda, they knew Brazeau was in the house. Old Overholt was his favorite for many years – the story went that lumber baron Isaac Minor, founder of the Minor Theatre, kept several bottles of that (rather mediocre) brand in his home vault.

One exceptional highlight — the result of meticulous planning — was in December 1973, when he visited all 39 bars within the Eureka city limits within a day. Starting at the Vista Del Mar, which opened at 6 AM in those days of thirsty fishermen, loggers and mill shift workers, he walked and got rides around town for 20 hours, having shots of — yes! — Old Overholt. It was said that some bartenders, alerted by pals, scurried to introduce the liquor into their inventory. Each bartender signed their names on the typewritten log Rick had prepared. Price of a drink at the Eureka Inn’s snazzy Rib Room? $1.80! For decades afterwards, this sheet was a scintillating walk down memory lane for numerous bar aficionados. He ended up back at the Vista where he collapsed into a Volkswagen van owned by buddy Faison Jordan.

Long-term romance entered his life in 1984 when he met Heather Verville. Their shared sense of humor, love of cats, creativity, family, camping, travel, history and other interests welded a deep connection. They married in spring of 1986 at Arcata’s Redwood Park. Eventually he persuaded her to join MTC Associates. Together — often on fun business trips they called boondoggles — they roamed California, the Pacific Northwest and the United States, with a special fondness for San Francisco, Yosemite and Washington DC. Many museums, parks, zoos and gardens were toured; many bars were enjoyed.

In the late ‘80s they were honored to write and help direct educational films about local and California indigenous peoples for the US Forest Service. Learning about sovereign rights, sacred grounds, basket making and other historical practices enriched their lives immensely.

In retirement Rick continued to study history, follow politics, travel (especially on Amtrak), read preferred novels, keep up with railroad news, and watch well-made TV and movies, often pausing the show to point out an interesting production technique or hilarious throw-away line.

Not surprisingly — he also visited bars. Many afternoons were spent at Ernie’s in Eureka or Central Station in McKinleyville, where he would alternate reading with chat amongst fellow regulars.

It’s been said alcohol use often has three stages – fun; fun with problems; and then … mostly problems.

Rick, lucky to be an exceptionally sturdy guy, had fun for many decades. Problems began to crop up as the years went by. And a while back, as his organs, including his precious quirky brain, suffered a continuous onslaught of chemicals, it became mostly problems.

He died at home of congestive heart failure March 5, 2026.

He is survived by his loving wife, Heather Verville, his brother, Robert Brazeau, extended family, and numerous friends.

A celebration will be held at a later date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Rick Brazeau’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.