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By: Brian Hoops, Nostalgia Specialist

Former AWA wrestler Rick Renslow passed away last evening at the age of 53. The following is reprinted with permission by my friend Mick Karch. Mick originally posted this in the kayfabe memories forum and it is reprinted here in its entirety.

It is with tremendous sadness that I am reporting the passing of my friend and longtime AWA wrestler Rick Renslow. Rick died this week at the age of only 53.

Local wrestling promoter Ed Hellier called me about a week ago to say that he had spoken with Rick, who did not sound good at all. Apparently, he had been having some stomach problems recently, and when he went to see his physician, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It had been about two months along by the time it was discovered, and it had already spread to Rick's liver.

Ed Hellier, George Schire and I were planning on stopping by Rick's home this weekend to see him. We will not get that chance.

Rick wrestled in various promotions but his longest tenure was in the AWA, where he wrestled both under his given name and also as "The Wild Alaskan." Although Rick was never a main event performer for the AWA, he was a steady, workman-like competitor, very old school in style and attitude. He was very close friends with Nick Bockwinkel, as well. When Rick would attend Cauliflower Alley Club in Vegas, he would stay at Nick's. Likewise, when Nick would visit the Twin Cities, he would spend time at Rick's cabin in outstate Minnesota.

In recent years, Rick competed as "Big, Bad, Trucker Daddy" for local independents, including Steel Domain. He also promoted his own shows a few times a year.

I can say with all sincerity that I am heartbroken by this. I worked with him and for him. Rick was a fantastic guy with a tremendous sense of humor. He was by far one of my favorite people to deal with in the wrestling business. He'd always greet me with that bellowing, "Mick Starch!!" I just saw him back in late spring at Kenny Jay's annual benefit in the Twin Cities, and he looked fine and in great spirits. The fact that this happened so quickly makes it all the tougher to swallow.

This is a very, very sad moment for me. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I will very much miss working with him, laughing with him, and joking with him. He was one hell of a guy. My guess is that he would probably enjoy reading words of this nature because he never really did get the credit he deserved for the role he played on the wrestling scene.

God bless you, Rick.

Thanks for sharing your memory with us Mick.

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