Compiled by Michele Cogger Atkinson

A legend in powerlifting, Rick Hussey is best known for creating dozens of world-record holding athletes under his leadership and coaching at Big Iron Gym and Rick Hussey’s Big Iron in Omaha, Neb. Arguably, Hussey was considered by many to be the best powerlifting coach in the country, if not the world. But to those who knew him personally, he was more than a phenomenal coach. He was a generous mentor and caring friend. He impacted so many lives through his coaching, his sense of humor and his generosity. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him will never forget him.

Hussey gave his entire life to his lifters and his gym. He was there coaching day after day, even during cancer treatments, surgeries and illnesses. He gave everything he had to his team, and all he asked for in return was for them to train hard and help out their teammates.

With the growing list of health struggles Hussey experienced, it was starting to seem like he was superhuman, that he could overcome anything. A punctured lung didn’t stop him from being in the gym the next day, nor did knee surgery or a staph infection. So when the shocking news was delivered on Dec. 30, 2010, that he had passed away, no one wanted to believe that it was really true.

To simply say that Hussey had a huge impact on everyone who met him doesn’t come close to describing the lasting truth to the statement. It can only be described through the hundreds, if not thousands of stories told by those who have known Hussey throughout his life. The first powerlifting article I ever wrote was an interview with him. Since then we collaborated on numerous articles, always working together to put his ideas in writing to share with the powerlifting community. I never imagined that I would be writing an article about his death. Compiling the following stories was very difficult. I don’t want it to be true. I don’t want to say goodbye. So I hope that with all of these stories, and those that continue to be shared, Rick will live on in our memories. We love you, Rick. Rest in peace.

“As I walked into the gym, it was a regular day. The New Year was approaching and the smell of new members’ newly found motivation was in the air. I woke up early to train, like I would any other day, but this day was different. At 6:10 a.m. I strolled into the gym and wave at one of my good friends, Dan Gross. He looks at me and mouths something I couldn’t quite understand. I asked him what he said, and I could tell something was wrong when I saw tears in his eyes. Dan looked at me and said, “Rick Hussey passed away this morning.” I felt my stomach and heart drop. “Rick? Not Rick? Not our Rick?!” My whole relationship with him flashed before my eyes. Through my eyes he was a coach, a mentor, a brother, a friend.

“The thing I remember most about Rick his love for powerlifting. I have known him for years, since 1991, when I moved here from Texas. It wasn’t until 2003 that I came to love him. ‘You should come join the team,’ he told me. ‘I’ll have you benching over 500 lbs. in four weeks.’ I took him up on that offer and joined the next day. I’ve been blessed and have never looked back. Joining the powerlifting team was the first time I met Rick Hussey, the coach.

“As my training progressed I was very successful. He took me to heights that I didn’t know I could reach. It seemed like he knew me better than I knew myself when it came to moving the iron. Even though it didn’t seem like it all the time, I knew he had my best interest in mind. Some workouts were tough, but knowing Rick was on my team gave me comfort. As the years moved forward and our relationship blossomed I discovered Rick Hussey, the mentor.

“Anyone who trained at Big Iron Gym walked out with stories and memories that will last a lifetime. Each person who is on Rick’s team has plenty to share for the years to come. They might not all be the same, but what is the same is one simple fact: Rick Hussey loved us. Some of us will never understand the depths of his feelings for us, but we never will have to question the fact that it was there. He was strong in so many ways. We all know he could knock out Mike Tyson if he had to, lift tons of weight when called upon, call us out when we were out of line and crack an inappropriate joke at the exact right moment, but his strongest characteristic was his passion. Nothing could shake him from his ‘sweet spot.’ That sweet spot was his love for the sport and his athletes. It wasn’t only about winning, losing or making our numbers increase. He made us stronger inside and out. When you walked into his gym you left a different person. The soreness was short-lived but the values and beliefs we had within ourselves will last forever. He looked after us like an older sibling. This is when I discovered Rick Hussey, the brother.

“Perhaps the most profound memory was the time he had an emergency operation on his knee on a Friday. Most people would have taken time off from the gym to get well. Well, Rick isn’t most people. Saturday morning rolled around and there he was. He was with the team as if nothing was wrong. The team moved the couch to the bench area for him to be right in the action. I thought to myself, This is a real fucking man. This is one crazy S.O.B. He was on painkillers calling out numbers to both squatters and benchers. He gave us support you can only get from your best friends. We’ve all had our good and bad days with Rick, but to focus on the bad days would be dishonoring him. That day is when it hit me. I was training with Rick Hussey, the friend.

“He wanted us to be the best. If you want to be the best, you have to train with the best. There is no doubt in my mind or my fellow teammates that he made us the powerlifters we are today. He made us laugh and he made us cry, but more than anything he made us champions. Every one of you will have a memory of Rick, but don’t think that he is only in your minds. He is also in your hearts. I still feel like I can sometimes hear him calling out to us. ‘Straps up! Straps down! One board! Two boards! Big belly! Below parallel!’

“We may never get to say it again, but we all want you to know we love you very much, Rick. As long as we live, we will speak of the legacy you brought powerlifters around the world. I know you’ll be watching over us as we move forward without you, our leader. We’ll all look in our hearts for guidance to become not only the athlete you want us to be, but also the man you would want us to be. This is truly a day where I can say through my eyes I was made aware of Rick Hussey, the legend.” — Dave Dickey

“On December 30, I woke up to one of the toughest phone calls I have answered. I thought it was Rick Hussey, but instead when I answered it was his wife, Kerri. Before she could say anything, I knew, and all I could muster out was ‘No, please.’ As she started to cry, I had no words.

“For those who knew Rick Hussey, you were lucky. ‘One of the unique characters of this world,’ said my friend, Craig Christopher. I broke down after reading that. I knew we lost someone we will never or could ever replace.

“He was significant in all he did. Nothing was ever just casual, or without the proper attention. The simplest things were done right — not just done, but right. He was a dedicated man, not just to himself, but to his world. If you were a part of it, there was so much you heard, saw, experienced and learned. “To me he wasn’t just a coach, he was family. Someone you trust and love, someone I wanted my wife and kids to know, someone you want to be a part of your life always. When you sit and think about how great it was being around him, it makes it that much harder to swallow. Tough to accept, it’s like a bad joke that's gone on for too long. When you come to terms with it, you can’t help but just salt your veins and hurt. You still miss him, and cannot tolerate the fact that it’s forever. — Al Caslow

“Rick, I can’t believe you’re gone. You had no idea how much you were looked up to, or how many lives you affected. You had a hard exterior, but those who knew you, knew that deep down you were sort of a sweetheart. No matter who was lifting, they were the center of attention at that moment. It didn’t matter if they were the best or the worst, you put in as much effort with them as you did your superstars. These are the things that set you apart from other coaches and what helped produce some of the best lifters the world has seen.

“Rick, It still hasn’t hit me that when I walk into BIG, you’re never going to be there again. I’ll never get to see you eating your food with two fingers instead your whole hand because of your bicep tears, and only being able to open your mouth half way to get the food in because of cancer treatments. I’m going to miss watching the sweat drip down your face when you ate a Frosty because it tasted so good. I’m going to miss the half smirk that was your smile. I’m going to miss the fact that you knew the weight that was just enough to make you work, but wasn’t so much that it would crush you. I loved that when you were trying to figure out that number, you would count in your head and use your fingers to figure the jumps you were looking to get later in the workout. I loved that when I first joined you made me feel like I had been there as long as anyone else; if I needed a wrap you would do it, if I need my straps pulled up you would do it.

“I remember a specific time, one of the only times I heard you specifically compliment me — or anyone, for matter. It was the second time I had 900 lbs. on my back. I was getting set and I heard you say, ‘It deloads down there, chest up, big air, do everything smooth and clean. You’re a great squatter. Let’s go!’ Anyone who watched the squat knew it was the biggest grinder of my life, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it if you hadn’t said that. It truly touched my heart. I’m going to miss the way you pushed me to lift weights that I didn’t think were humanly possible, with my skinny body. “You knew what I was capable of long before I did, and I can’t thank you enough for that. It helped me in the lifting world, as well as real life. If I’m presented with a problem or something I don’t think I can handle, I always think to myself, If I can squat over 800 lbs. I can do anything. None of that would’ve been possible without you believing in me first.

“I think the thing I’ll miss the most is knowing that you were always there for me. If I had problem with anything, you were always willing to talk about it. I think it was your favorite thing about the gym, being able to talk to all your friends. They knew they would always get your honest opinion on the matter, even if they didn’t want it.

“You’re one of the only people I truly respected who wasn’t a part of my family, which is a very rare thing in my book. As I write this, the tears keep rolling, but I know you were in way more pain than any of us who are missing you can even come close to knowing. The stress you had to deal with between banks, lawyers, the gym, cancer, medicals bills and I’m sure tons of things most of us didn’t know about, would have put most of us over the edge long ago. You were probably the strongest person I’ve ever known, in and out of the gym. I know you’re in a better place. You will be in my heart forever.” — Mick Manley

“I was sad, shocked and surprised when I got the news that Rick passed. Ria woke me up and said, ‘Rick Hussey died last night.’ I jumped out of bed and didn’t know what to say or do. I was shocked. After I collected myself, I thought, Shit. I wish I had gone to his meet to see him one last time.

“Rick was such a dedicated coach. I could go on and on about how great of a person he was. He would help anyone, even if you were competing against his guys. He once helped me come back from a missed bench due to technical reasons at the 2006 WPO/WPC Worlds to make it on a third, which helped tie Shawn Frankl. Not only was that extremely gracious of him, but he also had me out to Big Iron a month before the Worlds to help me with my bench. He didn’t have to do this, especially since I was about to go head to head with one of his guys.

“This is just one of thousands of things Rick has done for people. Others have put it very well: Rick would help anyone. He was unique and can never be replaced — nor will he be forgotten by those he has helped, touched, coached, guided and influenced. Furthermore, the powerlifting world will never be the same in so many ways. He will forever be known as one of the most incredible characters and coaches to have ever been around the sport of powerlifting. “We have truly lost one of the greats, and one of the toughest and baddest SOBs to walk the planet. His legacy will forever remain. No more suffering or pain.” — Brian Carroll

“Call it original, call it cheesy, but know it is true: Rick Hussey was one of a kind. Ask any of his lifters what their goals are for their next meet and they’ll respond with, ‘Whatever Rick says.’ Ask any of his lifters what they are going to lift that day and they’ll respond with, ‘Whatever Rick says.’ He had a way about him that truly brought the best out of each and every lifter.

“I was the new guy and definitely at the bottom of the pecking order on the Turd Team, as he called it. Every single day I lifted under Rick’s guidance, I was breaking a personal record. He called the numbers and you lifted the weight — no ifs, ands or buts. You just did it. I drove 110 miles round trip, three times per week to lift with the Big Iron team. Expensive? Yes. Necessary? No. Would I trade the miles logged or the money spent for anything? Absolutely not. The time spent with Rick was unbelievable. He had me lifting weights I never dreamed were possible. He hardly knew my background as a lifter, yet he helped me break down my mental barriers and lift weights beyond my previous capacity.

“Most friends of Rick say that if he makes fun of you, he likes you. Well, then I feel blessed to be a friend of Rick, because he did just that. It was always in good fun, and never hurtful. I will forever remember the countless number of times he called me Cat-Boy. Before he died, Rick was looking pretty run down in the gym and could hardly speak, but he was still lifting weights. With his head hung low as I entered the gym, I yelled across the room. Rick lifted his head, gave me his all-too-familiar smirk and a wink. That memory will forever be with me. Rest peacefully, coach. You are irreplaceable.” — Marc “Cat-Boy” Jergovic

“I remember when I first came up to Omaha. I was from small town Kansas looking to find a good powerlifting gym. When I first walked in I was highly intimidated. Rick, the coach, was making fun of people almost constantly. I didn’t understand why at the time. I kept coming in, day in and day out, hoping to make the team. When I was finally added into the mix I started to understand Mr. Hussey. If he wasn’t making fun of you to your face, chances were he probably didn’t like you at all.

“Every time I was down and out, Rick was always there to help out. He gave me various items for my apartment: a bed, kitchen utensils and food, including an ice cream bucket full of spaghetti and a pan full of Famous Dave’s ribs. He also gave me clothes he didn’t wear anymore. He gave me my first 500-lb. bench press and my first 2,000-lb. total, and I will forever be grateful. The man was constantly giving with no intention of ever being repaid. If you showed dedication, he would do anything for you to make sure you got to where you wanted to be. He was truly one of those individuals you only meet once in your lifetime, and he will forever be missed.” — Matt Sahlfeld

“I never had the chance to meet or train with Rick, but we have used his training guidance for the last six months at Ocean State Gym in Rhode Island. He has helped propel my bench press to levels I never thought I would reach. My training partner, Chuck Scherza, had been in contact with him and transferred his instructions to the rest of us. I have used Rick’s guidance to help others reach PR after PR in their own training. Rick has helped many more people than he would ever know. We feel blessed to have been able to receive his help and guidance, and will continue to use and pass on his ideals and training philosophies for many years to come. Rick will be missed by many. He will continue to have an impact on the powerlifting community, even after his passing. Godspeed, Rick. I’ll get my chance to train with you in the Lord’s gym. My condolences to all of his family and friends.” — Brian Shaw

“I was visiting Iowa from Texas and heard about Big Iron Gym. I called Rick and asked if I could come and get help in bench shirt. He said no problem. Within two hours, I had learned more about benching than I had in the previous two years. It was a great experience I’ll never forget.” — Jeremey King “Rick was an amazing guy. He taught me how to squat. I was a pure newbie in the sport, and he kept pushing me and kept telling me I can be one of the greats. I live in New York; he is in Nebraska. I had started to train for my first real Nationals. A bunch of us were in Chicago for the first Bench America. Rick and Becca shared a room with me. That was a riot in itself. Rick had a hysterical and quirky sense of humor.

“We had a full day before Bench America was going to start, so Becca, Rick and I took a ride out to Quads Gym. It was July in Chicago. The air was so thick and humid — instant sweat box. We get to Quads and the place has no air. All of the lifting is upstairs. There was one small fan barely blowing. Ed Coan was there, some strongman guys and us. Rick wants to see how I am doing with my form, etc.

“So I get under the bar. Rick tells me to take my shoes off and start doing some reps. No problem. He is correcting me as I am starting to get into my groove. I did about 20 reps, then we start adding weight. He wants me to do eight sets, eight to 10 reps. I’m still thinking, No problem. Yeah, right! We put on a plate, then 195, then 235. All of a sudden I start to feel nauseous. My face is flushed, I can’t breathe, I’m sweating. I look over at Rick he says, ‘Rack it.’ I step away from the bar. He yells, ‘Watch out! She’s gonna blow!’ “Well, what do you know, I did. Ed ran over with a small waste paper basket and I threw up. Rick says, ‘That was a job well done. Now get back under that bar, we have work to do.’ A few years later, with his help, I squatted 660 lbs. Thank you, Rick, for the great memory that I will never forget. Good times!” — Shawna Mendelson

“I was very saddened to hear of Rick Hussey’s passing. I trained at Big Iron Gym when I was passing through town for work, and every time he was very gracious. I do have a small story about Rick. It was the first time that I trained at BIG. I was front squatting in one of the squat racks in the corner of the gym and was getting to a pretty large weight. Rick came over to ask why I was doing that. I mentioned that I compete as a pro strongman. ‘That is some serious weight,’ he said. ‘Impressive.’ I consider it one of the greatest compliments ever paid to me regarding lifting. Rick really cared about the gym, the team and lifting. He will be sorely missed.” — Matt Wanat

“When I first entered BIG it was 2005. Jay Limas forgot to tell me two very important rules: 1) Don’t pet the dog, and 2) Don’t bend over in front of the owner. Well, I got bit and Rick touched me in a way that shocked me. But it was funny as hell.

“I only knew Rick for five years but, like he did for many, he took us from lifters to national competitors. He gave us the courage to do what we thought was impossible. When I went back to Big Iron with my arm brace on, he apologized for my triceps tearing. That blew me away. When I left Sioux Falls in December for Texas, I stopped in Omaha. When it was time for me to hit the road, I looked into his eyes and said ‘I will see you on the other side.’ He smiled, put his hand on my shoulder and didn’t say a word. This was my last memory. R.I.P. Rick, you will always be loved. Good-bye, my friend.” — Scott Barnes

“I have so many memories of Rick, but my favorite was from the night after Senior Nationals in 2009. At the meet, he gave me a third deadlift attempt weight that was heavier than I had ever attempted. I ended up missing the attempt; I was trying so hard to fight the weight that I fell over on the platform. When I stood up, the first thing I saw was Rick in a fit of laughter. Later that night, he told me, with his signature smirk, that he knew I wasn’t strong enough to lift that weight. He wanted me to try anyway and see what happened. Then he said he was proud of me for not giving up. That sums up how I want to remember Rick: a joker on the surface, but also a father figure. Deep down, all of his lifters are driven by the desire to make him proud.

“I always admired the way Rick trained his lifters. He knew exactly what it took to motivate each one. Some he encouraged, some he teased and some he broke down. But it was always because he was doing exactly what it took to get that person to achieve greatness. It was his strategy. He helped us all accomplish things we never dreamed possible, and giving someone that feeling is the kind of gift that is rare, and unforgettable. I had always enjoyed watching the lifters at Big Iron, but there is no way I would have done it myself had it not been for Rick. His coaching was addictive. He made you want to be great. He made you a part of something. And he made you wake up every day feeling like you had a purpose and a sense of belonging. I only knew Rick for a few years, but he is someone that I will tell stories about for the rest of my life. I have been so blessed to know him, and I miss him so much.” — Michele Atkinson “Rick was an extraordinary man. He was so outgoing, and no one ever seemed like a stranger to him. The first time I met him was in 2005, in Finland, and he treated me like he’d known me all my life. He even invited Rick Lawrence and me to join him and his guys for dinner. We had a ball. I got to hang out with them a few more times at meets over the next few years and he always called me by name with no hesitation. That always impressed me. He was so funny and full of life!

“The last time I got to talk with him, he talked about powerlifting and how his guys’ lifting was going as well as mine. He never mentioned his own health. He was all about the team. I think God has a special place in heaven for those who give so much to others. My deep condolences to Big Iron lifters, and Rick’s family, many friends and acquaintances. You’ll never be replaced!” — Buddy McKee

“Rick was an amazing coach. He was always fun to be around. I remember what he said to me the first time I walked into Big Iron: ‘Who are you, you skinny little queer?’ I was confused until I caught on that it was just how he operated. He was a great man, and will be sorely missed.” — Kaleb Hall “At APF Nationals in West Palm Beach, I was in danger of bombing out on my squats and had a huge doubt in the back of my mind about whether I’d finish the meet. Rick told me how to fix my technique and nail a 1,000-lb. squat. One of the judges shook my hand and told me it was the best squat he had seen that day. I went from feeling like I’d bomb out of the meet to feeling like I could squat anything put on the barbell. I kept telling myself that someday I’d make the trip and train at BIG. I kept putting it off.” — Anthony Carlquist

“I am an Olympic lifter and, as everybody in the world of strength sports knows, it is difficult to find places for us to lift. I couldn’t find a place to do weightlifting in Omaha, so I contacted the powerlifters in the area. Of course, Rick’s name came up, and he invited me to come down and lift with his lifters. I only met him once or twice, but he was friendly, inquisitive and a pleasure to talk to. I was upset to hear about him passing on.” — Jacob Wolfson “There is no way to put into words who Rick Hussey was. For as stubborn as he was, I have never known someone with a bigger heart. He gave and cared more than most people knew. He will truly be missed by many, myself included. I consider myself privileged to have known such a great man. Love and miss you, Rick. You will live on in all of our memories.” — Bobby Frankl

“One of my memorable conversations was when Rick asked me, ‘If I hit you with a stick, would marshmallows fall out?’ He had a very unique way to get you motivated. I always knew that when I’d work out, I would leave laughing and hurting. He will truly be missed.” — Diane Hernandez

“Rick, you have helped me in life so much. I started out as a teenager looking for a place to fit in. I was looking for something that I was good at and could love. You showed me just that. You took me in and helped me set goals I never dreamed. You made my life worth something and helped me accomplish so much. I will remember this forever. I love you and will miss you so much! Love, your Mac Attack.” — Machia Dudley

“I first went to Big Iron and met Rick when I was 18. I was just out of high school, weighed about 120 lbs. and couldn’t even bench two plates. Rick helped me learn how to train, and train hard. He taught me a lot, and I will never forget it. I was there lifting five days a week, and after the first year I put on about 60 lbs. and my bench went up to about 300 lbs. I will always remember him kicking my ass at pool after a hard workout. Thank you, Rick. You will be missed.” — Jon Ramirez

“I was friends with Rick Hussey for more than 15 years. I have more stories about him that I could ever share. I started powerlifting in 1997 on the very first Big Iron Gym Team. Rick and I were in the gym one day and he said, ‘Why don’t you try powerlifting? Because you suck as a bodybuilder. Who knows — you might even squat 700 lbs. someday.’ That was the start of my evolution as a powerlifter. I totaled 1,747 lbs. my first meet in the 275-lb. weight class. With Rick’s guidance, coaching and harassment, I have totaled more than 2,600 lbs. multiple times.

“I have had a rough couple of years. Injuries and life have not led to much success lately. Before Rick died, we had a talk about my powerlifting future. He told me that he believed in me and he thought that I still had what it took to total big. He said, ‘There is always another weight class or another division record to go after.’ I asked if that means I can start competing as a master. ‘You can start competing as a master when you start sucking as a powerlifter,’ he answered. Always the motivator!

“Rick, you turned me into a champion powerlifter and showed me how to be a better man. You believed I could do things I never dreamed of doing. RIP, Rick. You were my friend, my coach and my hero. I love you and will miss you. Thank you for your life’s work!” — Jim Grandick

“Many days I would come to the gym and see Rick with a little smirk on his face that was different from all his others. You knew the moments around Rick would be memorable on those days. I somehow avoided all the ‘thumbing,’ but it was such great fun watching others get ‘thumbed!’ I’m missing Hussey already.” — Brad Hein

“The first time I came to BIG, Rick told me I couldn’t lift on the team. I asked him why and he responded, ‘I don’t want the team to look bad!’ The second time I went to BIG, I petted the dog and he bit me. Rick walked up and gave me the ‘thumb.’ I asked, ‘What the hell was that for?’ He said, ‘See? Now you forgot about Josh biting you.’

“Rick took his shirt off and gave it to me, due to the fact he just tore the crap out of my shirt. But that’s how he was willing to give and help anyone. I finally manned up and de-pantsed Rick one day, but he simply pulled them back up and said he would get me back; not that day, but soon, and it will be far worse. Well, dude, you got me back good.

“I’m going to miss all the de-pantsing, the thumbing and the nicknames. ‘It’s not about where you start, it’s where you finish.’ Handsome Rick Hussey!” — Matt Gottsch

“Rick, I started going to your gym when I was 16. You started teaching me powerlifting. A few years later, you took me into your home and started teaching me life. It’s been more than 10 years since I started leaning. Now I’m a grown man learning about losing a beloved teacher, mentor and coach. But most of all, I’ve lost a beloved friend who at times was like a father to me. I will greatly love and miss you.” — Jeremy Hauger

“Rick played such and instrumental part in so many lives, mine included. He came across as such a hardhead, but his heart was soft and pure gold. He was a great powerlifting coach who loved this sport and dedicated his life to it. All of us who were a part of Big Iron for so many years have lost a great coach and a great person. I will forever be indebted to Rick, as he made me grow in many ways. RIP, Rick. I love you, but know you are now without pain and in a happy place. Till we meet again.” — Deb Widdis

“I talked to Rick before he died and I barely even recognized him. He was really hurting, but he was still up at the gym with all of his guys. He came over to me and said, ‘You know, this chemo took away all my arthritis.’ He always finds the good in things. I said, ‘I'm proud of you Rick. You’re fighting the fight!’ Rick smirked and said, ‘I’m winning the fight!’

“God, I’m gonna miss Rick! I met him 11 years ago when I first walked in his gym. I just knew I was walking into something special. When I was leaving that day, Rick yelled out over the music and the banging plates, ‘Hey kid, make sure you start wearing pants out of here. People are going to think we don’t have leg machines!’ I’m going to miss him.” — Dustin Talacko

“I first met Rick while, believe it or not, I was competing at a USAPL meet in Omaha back in 2002. Rick was helping spot and load. I was three red lights away from bombing and he let me know about it. I had no clue who he was, and he didn’t know me from the man on the moon. He approached me as I was wrapping my wrists and told me what I needed to do to get a lift in. I took his advice and got three white lights. After the meet was over I thanked him and he made fun of me for lifting in the USAPL. I still didn’t know who the hell this guy was, but I liked him.

“Two years went by and I met Rick for the second time. This time we were in a multi-ply federation meet and he had his team with him. I remember being in awe of Big Iron Gym. After Aaron Wilson handed me my ass, Rick came up to me and welcomed me to the big leagues. Then he gave me shit for using a single-ply shirt. I was still new to the sport and really didn’t know a lot about the guy. He was helpful toward lifters regardless if they were on his team or not. The way he rode his team members was unreal. Whether they made or missed a lift, they still got grief.

“The more meets I did around Rick, the more I got to know him. He took me in and it didn’t matter where we were competing or who I was competing against, he always had words of encouragement for me. They weren’t always nice, but that was Rick. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t waste his time messing with you. “On the outside, Rick was a hardcore warrior. But the more I got to know him, the more I realized that the man had a big heart. He would go out of his way to help anyone. My first time at the Arnold Classic, Rick asked me to get into his team picture and told me I was “almost BIG.” For me that was, and still is, an honor to know I earned such a great man’s respect.

“I know all the guys and gals he molded in the gym are all kids at heart, but I got to see a side of Rick that made me admire him even more at the 2010 APF Seniors. I brought my six-year-old son, Hunter, with me. It was his first time meeting Rick. He treated Hunter like one of the guys, and Hunter really thought that was cool. During dinner, Hunter told me he wanted a Big Iron T-shirt. I told him he needed to talk to Rick. Hunter got up, went over to him and asked for a shirt. Rick asked him what color he wanted, and Hunter told him he wanted all the colors. Rick told Hunter he would get him a shirt and give it to me next time we crossed paths. When I showed up at the gym for Rick’s next meet, he tossed me two Big Iron shirts and said, ‘These are for Hunter.’ He wears them proudly.

“Rick was a mentor, coach, friend and family member. Granted, he changed my name to Lorenzo, but still a part of the family. I will forever remember Rick and treasure the memories I shared with him. I want to thank Coach Hussey for all he has done for me over the years and thank him for the memories. Till we meet again, I love you!” — Rob Luyando

“I was so sad to hear about Rick. I’ve known him most of our lives, though I hadn’t seen him in years. One of the things I remember best is his sense of humor; he was always joking, teasing someone. It got him in a lot of trouble in school. And, of course, his lifting. I would tell my children about how strong he was when he was a teenager. It’s kind of funny because, while my daughter was attending Creighton, her psychology professor mentioned Rick and Becca. She was giving a lecture about the benefits and downfalls of women powerlifting. My daughter talked with her after class, told her professor that I knew Rick and had talked about him. It turned out she and her husband were also friends with Rick. I also remember that, though he didn’t do well in school, he was very bright. He had a mind for details. Everyone liked him; he was just a fun person. My condolences to his family. I know he will be missed.” — Kathy Ryan

“I worked out at Big Iron for several months in 2008. I am not even close to being an elite lifter of the caliber that Rick trained daily. Yet without prompting or asking, he constantly offered me advice and encouragement. He did the same for everyone who came into his gym, regardless of their ability. As well as being an awesome place to train, Rick saw that Big Iron made people feel comfortable and welcome. He offered everyone a friendly face and treated us like a big extended family.” — Terry Fitzgerald

“I can’t believe a legend and friend is gone. I trained at Big Iron under Rick and Becca for the better part of three years. I’ll never forget the first time I witnessed the Big Iron Team. It was my first powerlifting meet ever, and there were these grown men slapping and screaming at this guy getting ready to bench. Mike slapped the guy clean across his face and left a mark. I thought, This is definitely not for me! But the adrenaline rush of that meet stuck with me, and my trainer took me to Big Iron for Saturday squats. I was hooked! Rick trained me from then on.

“Being the smallest lifter (132 lbs.), he had patience and never grumbled about having to unload that bar for the ‘weak one.’ He always found a way to show up and train me when I could not make the regular training times. Rick was the most giving man. He trained each and every lifter like we were equal. And he never asked for much in return — just our dedication, which we freely gave. He made us want to give it your all for him and the team. He just had that way about him. He was a wonderful inspiration. I will never forget the friendships and family I found at Big Iron Gym. I am saddened that I did not get over to Big Iron one last time to say, real bright, ‘Good morning, Rick!’ He hated that and told me I was way too cheery and loud for the morning, but I always said it, without fail. So, good morning, Rick! You will be missed.” — Heidi Burke

“Rick taught me many things about lifting in the short time I knew him. He was a good person and cared about lifting, his team and his friends. I was lucky enough to have met Rick and have a friendship with him before he passed away. Rick will always be in the hearts of everyone who knew him and will never be forgotten. Everyone that knows him will miss him, and the sport of powerlifting lost a great legend the morning of Dec. 30, 2010.” — Luke "Lucy" Henson

“Rick went with me to my second powerlifting meet. It was just at a small YMCA meet, and there was only one other Big Iron lifter. I remember thinking how cool it was to have Rick help me out. Rick was training champions and I felt very lucky to have him there. I was honored to have him train me during the weeks leading up to the meet and then calling my numbers, treating me just like the big dogs. I remember missing my third-attempt deadlift and Rick saying that even though I missed it, he was impressed with how long I kept trying, and that a lot of his stronger lifters would have given up and dropped it. It made me proud to receive a compliment from him, one of the few actual compliments I ever heard him give out. As the years went by, I would train a lot by myself, but somehow he always knew when I hit a PR in a meet and would give me that grin and thumbs up. I was never any good at powerlifting, but Rick made me feel like I could constantly improve. With his help and guidance, I got stronger than I ever thought I could have been.

“Rick always cracked me up. He was constantly talking trash and keeping people humble. I remember training with Jerry Bokel and he called us the D team. He said, ‘The best guys are on the A team, then everyone else is on the B team. You’re on the D team.’ I said, ‘What about the C team? Shouldn’t we be on that?’ He said, ‘Oh, there is no C team. You’re so bad we had to skip C and go to D.’

“I feel lucky and honored to have known Rick as my coach and friend. I will miss him. The world is a dimmer place without him.” — Jim Burnett “I remember the first day going down to Big Iron Gym in 2008. I was with Scott Barnes (aka Lunchbox) and he brought me down to show me what a real gym was and how elite lifters trained. After only taking a few steps into BIG, I was astonished. It was packed with people starting to squat and bench, and it didn't take me long to realize that everyone was there to help each other, regardless if they were squatting or benching. It didn't take long for me to also realize that the ringleader was Rick Hussey.

“I was amazed how organized the chaos in the gym was and how Rick could keep track of the lifters squatting and benching. He was on top of everything, loading weight calling numbers, spotting. You name it, he did it. After that day I was sold on getting into powerlifting. I started coming down to Big Iron weekly from Sioux Falls to bench with John McClaren until I finally started benching with the team. I learned a lot from Rick and he helped me get my bench over the 500-lb. mark. One of my best memories was getting the nickname the ‘Chinaman’ for the first time. I felt honored to know that I had earned a place in the Big Iron family. Rick was a great mentor and coach, and I enjoyed every moment I was with him. It was an honor being able to be trained by and to be a part of such a great family.” — Jason “the Chinaman” Nguyen

“I was at the APF Best of the Midwest meet in Olathe last winter. I knew who Rick was and was very familiar with the accomplishments of the Big Iron lifters. What impressed me the most was how his team conducted themselves. Everyone helped each other and anyone else who needed it. No big egos, and he set a good example. I asked him to watch my bench and give any technique pointers he saw. He agreed and said I wasn't driving through my heels properly. I had never met the man before, but he was right and I was impressed that he took the time to help me. I could tell that even though his teams achieved the height of powerlifting success, he was a kind person who would help anyone at any level. I am so sorry that he passed and at such a young age. But he did more than most people who live twice as long. He made a mark on this world. He probably wouldn't even remember helping me, but it made an impression.” — Patrick Sullivan

“I am really sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. I didn't know him personally, but I have talked with him on the phone. He took the time to explain his reverse band method for squats to me even though I was a complete stranger. His advice put 20 lbs. on my squat in five weeks. I think of him as one of the greatest coaches the sport has ever seen, and our sport will not be the same without him. Rest in peace, Rick, and thanks for your many contributions to powerlifting.” — Randy Cairns

“I met Rick and Big Iron last year on a business trip to Omaha. Man, what an experience. Rick welcomed me to the gym and invited me to train with the guys from Big Iron during the scheduled evening training. I have told many lifters of the great experience and how Rick greeted me with open arms to his gym. I’ll never forget Rick calling his team members to drop what they were doing to give me a spot on the bench. Imagine doing that for a visiting new guy in the gym. “I was having problems with the bench shirt and Rick said, ‘We will fix that.’ He had more confidence in my ability than I did. That was just Rick. Always willing to lend a helping hand without any strings attached. Rick was simple, polite (in his own way) and full of enough confidence for everyone. He told me three things in a matter of watching one shirted bench attempt. I’ve never had a powerlifting coach, and Rick knew that. He stepped in and filled that void within two separate weeks of training. I’m sad that Rick’s battle came to an end, but his legacy will remain.” — Mike Martin

“I don’t think words will ever sum up what Rick did and what he meant to me. When I first walked into Big Iron in 2003, Rick was the first person I met. I asked Rick for a tour. He replied, "Do you think this is some type of sissy club where I’m gonna walk you around and hold your hand?” I laughed, walked myself around then signed up for a year. Over the next few months, I trained by myself making little to no gains and being very inconsistent. I had heard guys talking about a power meet on November 15, my birthday, so I asked Rick if I could do it. He told me I’d better wait until the next one, in March. “Over the next five years I think I spent more time with Rick than any other person in my life. He gave me a lot of guidance in areas my parents didn't: motivation with all of his stories, and confidence. I have always been extremely introverted; I remember shaking in his office when I asked him if I could do that first meet. He taught me I didn't have to be scared of heavy weights and how to stand up to my fears of crowds and people, and how never to be scared of failure and its okay as long as you get right up.

“Rick showed me the secret formula to success, which I believe you can apply to anything and you will as come out on top. Self-discipline + no excuses = success. It’s the only way possible he took a fourth string running back to be an open national champ at 21 years old. “I love him with all my heart. He truly was like the father I never had. I just want to share how truly grateful I am for everything he has done for me. I love you, Rick, and thank you for all the help. I will truly miss you.” — Richie Briggs

“What is our purpose for living? When we pass what will we leave behind? Will I ever see you again? These are all questions we might ask ourselves sometime in our lifetime. Well, for my best friend and coach, Rick Hussey, his purpose was huge! Rick affected so many people in his lifetime and is still affecting them to this day with the things he taught: How to set goals and work hard to get them, how to never give up on yourself or other people. He taught us to think of others before ourselves. Rick gave his time and energy teaching people how to better themselves in so many ways. He cared about people more then they will ever know. He did have a funny way of showing it at times. If he liked you he probably would make fun of you a lot, and you would end up with a nickname of some sort. Rick knew how to break you and build you up stronger.

“Rick adopted orphans. He took people in that didn’t fit in anywhere else, and he made them feel like a part of a family — a crazy family, for sure. You might get a thumb in the butt regularly, or de-pantsed occasionally, and there was never a dull moment. I hope someday, when I pass, I will have made an impact on many lives, as Rick has. He left me with so many great memories. He has made so many of my dreams come true. I am a blessed man for getting to be a part of Rick’s life.

“Rick was so faithful. He would never miss coaching us, even if he was in the hospital. He would tell the nurses he’s leaving, regardless of what they thought. I think they thought he was crazy. He's trained us right after knee surgery, when he couldn’t walk and we had to move him over by the monolift so he could call numbers. He trained me over the phone while I was overseas for a year. This man was there by your side whenever you need him. Rick never missed a workout of his own, either. He worked out even on the day he passed. He was one of a kind. He would never ask for anything in return, nor did he expect anything back. The only thing he ever asked was that you gave 100 percent at whatever you did.

“I've been so blessed to have gotten to travel all over the world with Rick to so many different powerlifting meets. We spent a lot of time together. Rick liked to go out to eat and share stories. He would have you laughing so hard your abs would be cramping. He once told me that, when he was growing up he had a neighbor who was such a dirty kid that a little baby corncob grew out of his ear. Really, Rick? He knew how to spice up the stories.

“Because of Rick I have had a great powerlifting career. It was a great feeling winning a lot of these top-level competitions and all, but it was a better feeling and honor to stand on the platform representing Rick Hussey. I didn’t just lift to win, I lifted to make Rick proud, and that meant more to me than anything.

“I have so many great memories with Rick, but the one that meant the most to me was the day he called me and asked me if I would take him to church so he could meet the pastor. Rick wasn’t doing well and knew he couldn’t control the cancer, and it was too much to bear. He knew it was too big for him to handle. The pastor asked Rick if he would pray with him. Rick said, ‘I don’t know how to pray.’ The pastor said, ‘Well, I do. I'll help you through it.’ Rick repeated a prayer giving his life to God that night. Because he did that, I know Rick is in heaven. No more pain, no more suffering. And because he gave his life to God, I know I will see him again.” — Shawn Frankl PM