RIP: Rick Tumanis (1956-2011)

Our good friend and Art Director has passed away.

Rick Tumanis (1956-2011)Last Friday, Richard A. “Rick” Tumanis, my long-time business partner and longer term friend, died unexpectedly in his sleep.  Rick served as Art Director for SophSoft, Incorporated and Digital Gamecraft, of which he was a founding member.

Raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Rick received a degree in English from the University of Michigan, followed by a law degree from Cooley Law School, but he chose to pursue a career in video game artwork, as well as his personal love of making music.  Rick began in the video game industry in 1987 when he joined Quest Software and provided artwork for the classic title, Legacy of the Ancients (Electronic Arts); he followed that up by creating all of the artwork for its quasi-sequel, Legend of Blacksilver (Epyx).

In 1995, Rick joined up with (then) Sophisticated Software Systems, contributing to games such as Mission Critical (Legend Entertainment), ZPC (Zombie), Vegas Fever (Encore), Card Crazy 2 (Encore), Slot City 2 (Encore), and MVP Backgammon Professional (MVP Software).  He was lead artist on Bicycle Card Collection (Microsoft), included in Microsoft Plus! Game Pack: Cards & Puzzles.  This led to a collaboration with Goodsol Development, for which he provided almost all artwork for more than 10 years, on games including Pretty Good Solitaire, Most Popular Solitaire, Action Solitaire, FreeCell Plus, and Pretty Good MahJongg.

At the time of his death, Rick was working on a couple of upcoming iOS games and completing work on his most recent solo album, Earfull.

Services were held 1:30pm, Thursday, August 4, at Farley-Estes & Dowdle in Battle Creek, with visitation an hour prior.  Click here for Rick’s obituary page.  [edited 08/08/2011]

Rest In Peace, Rick.  It is a shame that you did not see all of our big plans come to fruition.  You will be greatly missed.

9 thoughts on “RIP: Rick Tumanis (1956-2011)

  1. A tragic and unexpected loss. I never had the opportunity to know Rick, may he rest in peace. My thoughts and well-wishes go out to everyone grieving from his passing: his family, his friends, his associates. The IGDA community extends its heartfelt sympathies.

  2. Every loss in our relatively small community is a huge one, and it’s clear Rick meant a lot to so many. His legacy at least, lives on in his artwork. I only met him once, briefly, but he was thoroughly pleasant and had a lot of experience to share. My deepest sympathies to you, Gregg, and to Rick’s family and other friends for your loss.

  3. I am very sorry to hear about your friend. I recalled meeting Rick a few times and he seemed like a swell guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his friends and family.

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  5. Well, I know Rick only from website pages when looking for more of our unusual name “Tumanis” Now is one less . My condolences for Rick family . RIP

  6. I did not know him, but I have appreciated his talent for many years, as have many others. He leaves a legacy that will be matched by few others and will be remembered as long as games are played.
    I don’t mean to be facetious, but when I read all the artistic goals he had reached it reminded me of a child’s book I had about the Easter Bunny. After the Easter Bunny had painted all the Easter eggs as beautifully as possible and had nothing else to accomplish, he was taken up to Heaven to paint the sunsets. I wonder if they will be any different now.

  7. This is so sad to hear, one of the best art director have passed away. at the same time happy because he is already in God’s Paradise. If only his still here he surely have done a lot of things. My prayer to his soul that he may find peace.

  8. I don’t know how many times I’ve cried my soul out for the loss of my best friend, Rick Tumanis. No one in this life has touched my heart as deeply. No one has filled me with such relentless joy, magic, inspiration, friendship. With no one else have I ever had such a connection, or laughed as truly, or been my true self as easily. He was my ultimate kindred spirit and my world is infinitely less beautiful without him. I will never get over the loss of my friend. I can only hope that we will meet again.

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