Richard Seltzer Obituary

Seltzer, Richard Beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, Richard Alan Seltzer, passed away on January 12, 2011, after a more than two-year courageous battle with Amyloidosis. Ricky, as he liked to be called, was a true warrior both in his personal and professional life with a true passionate heart filled with love. Personally, Ricky wanted nothing more than spreading and sharing love with his family and friends. He was a lifelong eclectic spiritual seeker. His favorite teachers were Thich Nhat Hanh, Sri Ramanah Maharshi, Eckhart Tolle, The Dalai Lama, and J. Krishnamurti, to name only a few. One of his favorite sayings, from Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh, was "Love is a verb." He cherished his times with his family, camping trips to the Sierras, and hiking to the top of a mountain where he would stand, a huge grin on his face, his arms raised in triumph. Professionally, Ricky was a plaintiff's trial attorney for over 40 years trying mainly wrongful death cases and earning numerous seven-figure verdicts and settlements in cases involving insurance bad faith, employment, product liability cases against auto manufacturers, as well as wrongful death cases. In the mid-1980s, when insurance carriers were offering only $50,000.00 for the death of a minor - because children cost money to raise and did not earn money - Ricky got a seven-figure verdict in Contra Costa County for the death of an 18-year-old. Thereafter, he built his reputation on trying wrongful death cases based purely on noneconomic damages, such as loss of care, comfort, society. He believed that the greatest loss in life was the loss of a family member or loved one, regardless of their earning capacity, and he lived his life that way. Ricky is survived by his mother Amy Seltzer; wife of 30 years Janet Seltzer; children Andrew, Wendy, Katie and Joey; daughter-in-law Lari Seltzer, sons-in-law Howard Jeruchimowitz and Eric Baer; grandchildren Madison, Georgia, Caylie and Natalie; and brothers, Bill and Jim Seltzer. Ricky was born in Chicago on July 19, 1944, to Fred and Amy Seltzer. He grew up in Glencoe, Illinois, attended The University of Iowa and earned his JD at Northwestern University School of Law graduating summa cum laude. All are invited to remember Ricky at a memorial service on January 24, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, located at 941 The Alameda, in Berkeley, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations to the Seva Foundation, www.seva,org, a foundation that for more than 30 years has served people around the world who are struggling for health, cultural survival and sustainable communities.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 17, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Seltzer

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I miss Rick today just as much as I did when he passed way too early. He was my touchstone in so many ways.

Chris Becker

Friend

January 17, 2024

Dear Rick,
We miss you and think of you often. Your memory is a blessing forever to your family and many friends.
Rest In Peace My Dear Friend
Friendship Binds Eternally

Michael & Willitte Herman

Friend

January 10, 2024

We all miss you, Ricky. We think about you often. Rest In Peace my dear forever friend. Your Spirit, Love, Smile, and Memory are with us always.

Michael & Willitte Herman

Friend

January 10, 2022

Dear Rick, my dear friend. Your Spirit, Love, Smile, and Memory are with us always.

Michael Herman

Friend

January 10, 2021

Although Ricky (or Rick as I knew him professionally) passed away in 2011, I wanted to express some belated thoughts to his family. I first met Rick about 25 years ago when we worked together on a complex personal injury case. He was well known as an expert in this area and also a very prominent and successful trial attorney. In any event we accomplished very successful results for our client. Rick was a consummate professional, fair, honest and a tenacious client advocate. I have been a lawyer for over 40 years and worked on hundreds of cases with more lawyers than I can count. Rick stands out as one of the finest, not only in the legal sense but also as a quality person. He had a unique human side which was real and certainly added to his success. May his memory and life be for a blessing.

Steven Fishbein

March 4, 2020

Wendy, We are sending our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.

Myrna and Don Lord

January 18, 2011

We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thiughts and prayers go out to you at this very sad time.

Dawn McGrath

January 18, 2011

So sorry to hear of Rickys passing. May the God of all comfort give you the strength to cope during this time of grief. (2 Cor. 1:3,4)

AM

January 17, 2011

Andy - So sorry to hear about your loss. Reading the comments about your Dad and the way in which he lived his life, how he gave to family, friends and the community, I hope you, Lari and the girls take comfort in that you were truly blessed to have a father / grandfather that set such a positive example for others to follow. May his spirit comfort you and your family going forward. With deepest sympathy, Steve Heninger.

Steve Heninger

January 17, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our longtime good friend Ricky Seltzer. We cherish the many fond memories RIcky has left us with. The love Ricky shared with so many lives on.

We extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to Ricky's family on their loss.

"There is no separation between Loving Spirits."

Sincerely,

Michael & Willitte Herman

January 17, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our good friend Ricky Seltzer. We take comfort in the fond memories he has left us with. The love he shared with so many lives on.
We extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to Ricky's family.
"There is no separation between Loving Spirits."

Sincerely,

Michael & Willitte Herman

January 17, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our good friend Ricky Seltzer.
We take comfort in the many fond memories he has left us with and the love he shared with so many lives on.
"There is no separation between Loving Spirits."
Our sincere sympathies and condolences to RIcky's family.
SIncerely,
Michael & Willitte Herman

January 17, 2011

Andy / Lori / Kids - Very saddened by the news.

I remember the first time I met your dad. It was at Wherify, and he said that he always encouraged you to take chances in life. I’m sure he’s very proud of all you! You all embody that spirit!

Bob

Bob Jacobsen

January 17, 2011

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