Rick Tabor

Rick Tabor died peacefully in the company of close friends on Feb. 14, 2006, in San Francisco.

Born in 1946, Rick lived in Aspen in the 1970s and early 1980s. He has many friends still flipping food in the kitchens of Aspen’s major restaurants. He worked breakfast, lunch and dinner at the original Andre’s and then at Brigitta’s. Longtime Aspen chefs still remember his hollandaise as supreme. After leaving Andre’s, Rick worked breakfast and lunch at the Hotel Jerome until it closed for a restoration project in 1985.Rick moved to San Francisco with Marie Goettl, his good friend from the Hotel Jerome. They spent their first year in San Francisco still packed to return to Aspen. Over time, they came to enjoy metropolitan life in their comfortable apartment with its view of the city, and they stayed – for the last 20 years. Rick never gave up his love for spending time with his friends at a favorite neighborhood bar with his favorite bartender. Rick had “retired” from the restaurant business and took pride in working for Working Assets long-distance phone company – a company he deeply respected and where he enjoyed the friendship of many good people.

Rick has friends throughout the country. There are many stories of Rick watching out for the underdog and helping friends in a pinch. He could reliably be found hanging at the bar if he wasn’t in the kitchen.

Rick requested that there be no formal service. Marie invited friends to gather informally in San Francisco on April 26. Perhaps friends in other places can raise a glass to Rick and tell a favorite story. Rick will be remembered for his rugged Marlboro man good looks that housed a gentle, caring puppy dog inside. Many people will miss his sense of humor, the good conversations and his kindness. He could not bear for anyone to be sad – the sparkle in his eye and winsome giggle always prevailed.