Remembering Rick Kinser
His family urges family members to make plans while they still have a voice to advocate for themselves.
Richard Lee Kinser, known to family and friends as “Rick,” lived a rich life in his 68 years. He was a son, brother, husband, father and a friend to many.
Rick was born on April 3, 1956, in La Grange, Kentucky, to parents Don and Georgia Kinser. He was a 1974 graduate of Jefferson School. After graduating, he moved to Arizona, where he enlisted and served in the Marines, working on aircraft missiles, from 1974 until 1979. After his service, he moved back to the Rockton area and became an engineer at Dean Foods Company, until he accepted a promotion to join Dean Foods in Tennessee at the Mayfield Dairy.
Rick loved to travel. One of his favorite places to visit was Las Vegas. He and his cousins and uncles from Kentucky traveled there together - a yearly tradition.
Rick had a strong faith that he never lost. He attended church at St. Peter in South Beloit every Saturday and Sunday, where he worshiped alongside his mother. They had their favorite pew. This was their weekly ritual which strengthened their bond.
Kinser passed away on March 27, 2025 after living with primary progressive aphasia since his 2016 diagnosis. Kinser's health journey lasted eight years. His mother, two sisters, and two brothers still remember him every day.
Primary progressive aphasia is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities slowly and progressively become impaired. PPA is one of an estimated 100 forms of dementia.
Those who have PPA have a life expectancy of seven to 12 years after their diagnosis.
Rick's brother Tom reflected back on when it was discovered that something wasn't right. “Rick was at work at Dean Foods where he was having trouble remembering what he just read, and focusing on a group discussion. Complex words were frustrating to him. He was however able to focus in a one on one conversation.”
When he was diagnosed, it was important to Rick that he come back to the Rockton area to be close to his parents and siblings, and to be in an area that he knew.
"When my brother Rick received his diagnosis, we as a family were unprepared for the challenges that he would face in the future," his sister Debbie said.
The first facility where Rick's wife placed him was Anam Memory Care in Rockford. Shortly afterward, he was moved again, to Montclair in Chicago in October.
“Rick lasted longer than we expected,” his brother Tom said.
Rick had a wide range of interests in his later years. A few of his favorite things were music, cars, car shows, golfing, trips, pickleball, yard work and gardening.
He loved being outdoors. He was a big car mechanic and an engineer who was still putting cars together during his health challenges. Rick won a first place award for his 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ at the Rockton Lions Club Last Roar Car Show in 2023.
“He was always happy, he loved everybody and everybody loved him,” his sister Debbie said.
Rick had a special place in his heart for the Historic Auto Attractions in Roscoe.
In loving memory the Kinser family presented a memorial plaque to Historic Auto Attractions on Friday, September 19, 2025.
His family invites the Rockton community to honor Rick's legacy by supporting the Historic Auto Museum, a place that filled his heart with joy.
The Kinser family shares, “Rick's life was defined by his love for family, faith, and the unique treasures at the Historic Attractions Museum. He was the museum's favorite advocate." Whether he was marveling at a DeLorean or sharing stories about Al Capone's era, for Rick, it brought history to life.
“That place was his happy place," said his mother, Georgia Kinser.
Melissa and Alex, staff at Historic Attractions, reflect back on what Rick meant to them.
“Rick Kinser was always such a joy to have at Historic Auto Attractions. Every visit he arrived with a big smile and a genuine love for history and cars that lit up the room. The museum was a place where he felt at home, safe, comfortable and surrounded by things that he loved most."
They add, "Everything happened so fast and our staff deeply misses his warm presence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family during this difficult time.”
Donations given in his memory will help preserve its one-of- a-kind collections for future generations.
Contributions from Rick's memorial will support not only the Historic Auto Attractions Museum but will also be used toward supporting the Alzheimer's Association, which provides vital in-home care resources for individuals with dementia , helping them remain in familiar surroundings to reduce anxiety and to promote dignity.
Mission BBQ also has a plaque on display in honor and memory of Rick.
The Kinsers stress the importance of making a will to make sure that a person's wishes are met and to do so when the patient has a voice. The family puts the importance of educating families and caregivers at the highest level.
“We truly felt that Rick was gone too soon as the disease stole him from us," they say. "We want to honor him by ensuring that others who are facing a dementia diagnosis find hope, and strength through faith, just as Rick's faith sustained him.”
The family urges, “Please exhaust all options to keep your loved ones at home as long as possible, especially if there is strong family support.”
The family's purpose of sharing Rick's story is to advocate for better care planning for the person facing a diagnosis of dementia and to do so when the patient has a voice to advocate for themselves.
“Through proactive planning we can help our loved ones live the lives they deserve surrounded by people and places they cherish,” they say.
