Richard "Rick" Hardcastle was born February 5, 1956, in Fort Worth, TX to George and Barbara Hardcastle. He was the first of three siblings. He unexpectedly died of natural causes on October 7, 2023, at the age of 67, at his home in Pensacola, FL.

He is survived by his son, Austin Hardcastle (Leigh); parents, George and Barbara Hardcastle; brother, Glen Hardcastle (Brenda); sister, Kim Hardcastle-Geddes (Bray); nieces, Katelyn Riggs (Stormy) and Lydia Flores (Ted); nephew, Sam Geddes; and many close friends. In addition to other family members, Rick is preceded in death by his Uncle Jerry, whom he cared for until his death in 2019.

Rick grew up throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas before attending the University of Kansas where he received a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and lifelong love for the Jayhawks. After trudging through the snow to a meeting where graduate students were shown potential job placements, Rick decided to move to sunny Pensacola, FL, where he spent the rest of his days. Rick began his career teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students and went on to serve in other teaching, counseling, and administrative roles throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa County. In his retirement, Rick put his creative and constructive talents to use by flipping houses while continuing to serve in education as possibly the most interesting substitute teacher ever.

Of all his vocations, Rick was quick to say that his most important vocation was that of a dad. Rick became a father when his son Austin was born in 1996, and the two of them kept a tight-knit relationship, sharing "happy times, exciting times, teachable moments, funny things, feelings, deep discussions, travel, movies, sports, and just presence" (Rick's words from a recent letter to Austin). In addition to being Austin's dad, he served as a foster parent for many. He was a father at his core.

Rick was a friend to all, and he knew how to be a good one. His friends recount how he was always looking to serve someone and was always around in times of celebration or need. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Rick had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed any opportunity to host both old friends and new friends in his home. An adventurer who loved to travel, Rick recently took solo month-long trips to the United Kingdom and Costa Rica with itineraries too underdeveloped for most of his loved ones to be comfortable with. While passionate and principled, he was consistently laid back. You always knew exactly what you would get when you were around him. And all of Rick's amazing qualities that made him loved by so many were an expression of a life marked by deep faith and a deep relationship with his Lord, Jesus Christ. He would desire no legacy more than to know that others experienced the love of Christ through his life.

Rick's memorial service will be held 10:00am Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church on N. 9th Ave. All are invited to remember Rick and celebrate his life.