RICK ADELSBERGER
April 10, 1954 – February 15, 2026
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Rick Adelsberger of Edmonton at the age of 71. On February 15th, Rick passed away at the University of Alberta Hospital after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke February 14th.
Rick is survived by his wife Kathy, nephew Jon (Kenzie), grand nephew Asher and brother in law Paul, sister-in-law Janet as well as several cousins spread across Canada and the USA. He is predeceased by his mother Vivian, sister Heidi and step father Walter.
Rick was born in Halifax and moved to Manitoba and then to Edmonton at a young age. He curled competitively and recreationally for many years and remained an avid fan of both women’s and men’s curling throughout his life. He was a hard core Oilers fan and had rooted for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers since his step father took him to a game when he was young. Rick had an early interest in computers and was involved in the Edmonton Atari Computer Hobbyists club (E.A.C.H.) in the 1980’s where he made some great friendships that continued until his death. His interest in computers evolved along with the technology and he became very proficient and helped a lot of friends, neighbours and family with their computer issues over the years.
He loved muscle cars and helped to start the Edmonton MOPARS club in 1993/94. While in the group, Rick restored a 1970 Challenger Convertible with help from his father-in-law. He loved working with the club and seeing and talking about his and everyone’s cars. It was a highlight of his life and he gained many good friends. Thanks to all of the MOPAR community for your kind words and sharing your memories of him.
The family would also like to sincerely thank the EMT’s, U of A Emergency Room team, and the staff on Ward 3D4 who were all so compassionate and caring of him and his wife in his last days and hours.
We met Rick and Kathy on one of their many cruises. He was a happy, kind hearted guy. Rick loved to talk about his muscle cars and the space program, along with many tales of traveling around the globe. We always had fun with Rick and Kathy, and have fond memories of our times together. It was a privilege knowing Rick, and he will be missed.
Cathy, I am sorry you have to go through this. Know my prayers are with you. Peace to you, Love , Your cousin Kathy
In 1993 a group called the Mainstreet Cruisers was formed using the Tim Hortons at Mainstreet Mall in Millwoods. This is where I met Rick at the small show that the cruisers had hosted. Rick, Don Fox, Dan Rasmussen and Doug Lepak had been working on starting a Mopar only club and decided to start meeting at the south end of the Towne Centre mall. During our weekly meetings (no internet or social media) I got to know Rick and we soon became friends with our love for cars being the common thread. What followed was many, many car events from Edmonton to Calgary with the only main Mopar Show in Red Deer now being hosted by the Central Alberta Mopar Club.
Over the years Lynn and I become very good friends with Rick and his lovely wife Kathy. Rick and I spent countless hours attending car shows, organising and hosting show & shine events and fitting in some general socializing in between.
We talked about our lives from High School to where we are today. We shared our stories from our first jobs and how we went through the struggles and joys of the first chapters of our lives. We spoke about our first cars and the independence they gave us as we forged our path into adulthood. We cherished the time as the 1970’s were very vibrant and exciting, with jobs and an overcharged economy.
We talked about how we met our wives and started our journey together with our life partners, getting married in the same year about a month apart. Rick was very proud of the fact that he and Kathy actually built their own house with their own hands during a co-op program sponsored by the City of Edmonton. Countless hours spent after work and on weekends. Good thing our summer days are so long.
We also spent hours talking about our cars that we owned and our passion for cars of the muscle car era. The stories we shared of how we acquired each one and put our hearts into building and restoring them cemented our friendship. Rick always spoke highly about his father-in-law Gordie, who helped him restore the rare, award winning 1970 Challenger R/T convertible he still owns.
However, time moves on and our car passion slowly faded into the memories and stories we remembered and shared. We both stepped away from the car club and show scene a number of years ago. Our friendship never wavered as we continued to get together for dinners and coffee meets with Rick and Kathy as well as a number of our close friends from the past years. The conversations are more about the current events of our lives sprinkled with fewer and fewer stories of our car crazy years. When we first met there wasn’t any internet or social media to connect, but rather face-to-face contact. The cars were how we got to our meeting places. The social connections were the important part. Rick was a master at one-on-one connections with almost everyone who joined us in the passion we shared for cars. In his kind and quiet way, he became a friend to everyone. He always made an effort to welcome new friends to our group of car enthusiasts.
On February 15, 2026 my dear friend Rick passed away. My wife Lynn and I are saddened beyond belief and will miss him greatly. We will cherish his friendship and memories we shared. I am proud to say we were friends.
Mack
Writing an obituary is a caring act. It helps those of us who knew Rick later in his life to know his history and appreciate the full life he led.
Our hearts hold Kathy close as she travels this difficult stretch of life’s road.
Kathy, may your memories of Rick bring you smiles even as your tears fall with missing your dear husband.