Rick Albrecht

Rick grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. He enlisted in the army after high school and was subsequently recruited to apply for admission to the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He graduated from West Point in 1980 and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2001. During his military career, he served almost ten years in Germany and became a German and French linguist. He was selected by the German Government and military officials for a variety of community and volunteer awards. He has continued his community and civic involvement and received additional leadership and volunteer awards since his retirement from the military. He began his civilian time as a substitute teacher for grades 6-12 and completed training to become part of the National Response Team for the American Red Cross. After assisting in New York City after the attack on the World Trade Center, he returned and started his massage training. He has aggressively marketed himself while at the same time performing over 8,000 hours of volunteer service in the past 9 years. He has developed massage niches in the city's sports venues, and hotel industries; as well as independently with SuperClubs at both Hedonism II and Grand Lido Braco (prior to becoming affiliated with FitBodies). Rick was also the "Beer Man" for the Sioux Falls Canaries, entertaining fans with his "Buuuuudweiiiiiserrrrr," passing out baseballs to children, and carrying beer, soda, water, sunflower seeds and peanuts up and down the stairs at each game. A successful investor, Rick has the pleasure of choosing what he wants to do. Rick enjoys scuba diving, writing poetry, traveling, hiking, and meeting people. He was a volunteer Big Brother with the Big Brother Big Sister program for a year, is the mascot (PJ the Parrot) at the zoo, is mascot (Cecil the Caterpillar) at the Sertoma Butterfly House, usher at the Washington Pavilion (for symphonies, musicals, operas, ballets), bartender at the Olde Towne Dinner Theater, and meal server at one of the city's welfare centers. In addition, he helps at the Veterans Hospital in SIoux Falls twice a week in their physical therapy deaprtment.  He is single and still looking for the right woman to spend the rest of his life with.  In August 2009, he began his affiliation with the South Dakota Honor Flight program whereby he helps escort World War II veterans to Washington DC so that the veterans can view their memorial.  In November 2009, he will be honored by the Modern Woodmen of America for his continued commitment to the Sioux Falls community -- over 8,000 of volunteer service since retiring to the area in 2001.  It's now February 2014 and the volunteering continues to be about 1,000 hours a year.  I enjoy traveling and recent travels included Israel, Jordan, and Egypt in 2012; then back to Israel and on to China in 2013.  Once I see the Taj Mahal, I will have gone to the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.   I am multilingual -- German, French, and a smathering in a variety of other languages.  (Updated 20 Feb 2014)