In Memorium: Remembering our Dear Friend and Fellow APC Member,

Rick Benton

Dear APC Members,

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share some truly heartbreaking news with our Annapolis Pickleball Club family.

Our dear friend, fellow APC member, and longtime pickleball coach, Richard (Rick) Benton of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away suddenly on Saturday evening, October 31, from a pulmonary embolism.

Rick was much more than an active member of the Annapolis Pickleball Club. He was a valued part of our pickleball family, a dedicated coach, an enthusiastic supporter of the sport, and, most importantly, a wonderful friend to so many of us.

Over the years, Rick generously shared his time, knowledge, and passion for pickleball through his involvement in numerous APC activities, including player development, coaching clinics, open play, social gatherings, and special events. He was also one of the founding members and organizers of Pickleball Under the Stars (PUTS), helping establish and grow this amazing weekly event that has brought countless players and members of our community together for fun, friendship, and a shared love of the game. Every week, every summer, Rick worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event happen for the entire Annapolis community to enjoy.

Rick’s contributions extended well beyond APC. Many of you also knew him through his professional role as a member of the pickleball leadership team at Life Time Annapolis, where he played an instrumental role in developing and expanding the facility’s pickleball programs and operations. He helped oversee the growth of Life Time’s pickleball program, while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all skill levels.

Equally important was Rick’s commitment to building relationships between Life Time and the broader Annapolis pickleball community. He actively encouraged partnerships with APC, organized opportunities for both Life Time members and non-members to participate in pickleball activities, and directed competitive events, including the Life Time Pickleball Classic. Through his leadership, coaching, and community outreach, Rick helped introduce new players to the sport while creating more opportunities for experienced players to compete, improve, and enjoy the game.

Despite his professional responsibilities, Rick never lost sight of the grassroots APC community that meant so much to him. Whether he was coaching at a local park, organizing a tournament, helping a beginner develop confidence, or simply enjoying a conversation courtside, Rick was always approachable, friendly, and genuinely interested in helping others.

What made Rick truly special wasn’t simply his knowledge of pickleball or his many contributions to the sport. It was his love of people, his generosity with his time, and his ability to make others feel welcome and included. His warm personality, easygoing manner, and genuine enthusiasm for the game and the people who played it made him someone we all enjoyed being around.

Rick’s sudden passing is a tremendous loss to the Annapolis Pickleball Club, Life Time Annapolis, and the entire Anne Arundel County pickleball community. It is difficult to imagine our courts, tournaments, and gatherings without his familiar presence. He helped build programs, develop players, strengthen friendships, and bring people together. Those contributions will remain an important part of his legacy.

On behalf of the APC Board of Directors and our entire membership, I extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Rick’s family, loved ones, colleagues, and many friends during this incredibly difficult time.

As additional information becomes available regarding Rick’s obituary, funeral or memorial services, and opportunities to honor his memory, I will share those details with our membership.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to keep Rick’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and to reflect on the many wonderful moments we shared with him, both on and off the pickleball courts.

Rick will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the friendships he built, the players he encouraged, the programs he helped create, and the countless lives he touched throughout our pickleball community.

Attached to this email is a wonderful photo of Rick and his great friend Steve taken at Pickleball Under the Stars. (Photo provided by Pickleball Under the Stars team).

Rest in peace, Rick. Thank you for your friendship, your kindness, your generosity, and everything you gave to our APC family. You will not be forgotten.

With heartfelt sympathy,

Peter Gaviorno
President
Annapolis Pickleball Club
On behalf of the APC Board of Directors