Rick Albrecht

Rick Albrecht long-time restaurant entrepreneur in Indianapolis, died peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2022 after battling a lengthy illness.  With the amazing hospice care from Heart To Heart and help from his wife, Tena, Rick had his wish come true, to die surrounded by familiar love. He had the blessing of dying in his bed at home, surrounded by his cats, Stella and Lily.

Rick was born in Louisville, Kentucky on September 23, 1937 to the late Carol and Hazel (nee Milliner) Albrecht. In 1955, he joined the Navy and was stationed at Naval Air Station Key West at Poca Chic. He was discharged in 1957 and went home to Kentucky to marry.  Rick soon had two children before reaching age 25.

Rick moved to Indianapolis to sell insurance and started a Real Estate firm, A&K Realty.  In 1974, he decided to buy an old bar on the westside of Indianapolis.  His decision to keep and run it was his beginning in the restaurant business. And as they say, the rest is history!

Rick was in the restaurant business for 48 years; owning and operating at total of 15 different companies. Rick became an icon in the restaurant business in Indianapolis.  There weren’t too many people who had not heard of him and his establishments.

1974…. The Godfather/ immediately renamed Crafty Cockney, Westside of Indianapolis

1982…  Rico’s Supper Club, Carmel

1983… The Sombrero Marina & Dockside Restaurant, Marathon Key, Florida

1985… The Cork at Keystone at the Crossing

1986... Rick’s Café American at Union Station

1988… Rick’s Dockside at Geist

1988.. Lauderdale’s Nightclub at Union Station

1989... Riley’s Towers Restaurant in Riley’s Towers, Indianapolis

1990...Lauderdale’s at the Greenhouse at Keystone at the Crossing

1990…The Eller House on Eller Road, Fishers

1994…Rick’s Boatyard & Marina on Eagle Creek Reservoir

2001...Rick’s Boatyard, Omaha, Nebraska

2004…Stardust Restaurant & Catering – Indianapolis Museum

2005…Rick’s Bistro, Columbus, IN

2013… Rick’s Waterfront in Waterfront Park, Indianapolis

Rick met the love of his life, Tena in 1996 at Rick’s Boatyard and married a year later. They would have been married 25 years on the 10th of September.  They traveled the world together and enjoyed more than a lifetime of happiness.  He loved to play as hard as he loved to work.

After marrying Tena in 1997, he started buying and renovating houses making each house better than before. They spent parts of their winter in Ft. Lauderdale for almost 20 years and thought of the condo at Plaza East as their home away from home.  His home was always a place for a party for his friends.  He was known for his annual “Amateur Tennis Tournament” with food, live music & Friends.

Rick was a great tennis player, golfer, water skier, snow skier, bowler, scuba diver, dancer and card player. He had a natural athletic ability.  All sports came easily to him. He loved his friends and loved to travel, especially if it was to a jazz festival.  On Thursday nights, you would find Rick and Tena enjoying live music at the White River Yacht club. You could never go in that place without finding a “good ole Friend.”

He loved his fleet of cars and said he “loved to go as fast as he could”. One of his claims to fame was that he hadn’t missed the “Indy 500 “race in 62 years.  This was his first year he missed attending.  He got to watch it on TV, but he said it was not like being there in person.

Rick was devoted to his St Mary’s Child Center.  He was one of the founding Godfathers. Rick started the infamous “Miracle Ball” which is still today one of the largest money makers for the center. Rick will have his annual Rick’s Boatyard Golf Outing this fall on October 4th at CCI for the Center.  The restaurant will hold the annual St. Mary’s Raffle fundraiser at the restaurant on September 29th.

In 1989, the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Indianapolis honored Rick as Board Member of the year. He was awarded “St. Mary’s Angel on Earth Award” which was the highest humanitarian award for extraordinary caring for the children of our community in 1993. Then he was awarded “The Crystal Angel Award” in outstanding achievement in the Founding Godfathers of St. Mary’s in 1998. In 2005, St Mary’s awarded Rick “Miracle Maker Award” which reflects his devotion to the organization, and it’s need here in our city.

Evan Bayh awarded Rick with the Sagamore of the Wabash from the State of Indiana on November 22, 1996, for his philanthropic work in city of Indianapolis.

Rick’s Boatyard & Marina was Rick’s last and biggest business venture. The restaurant is a destination in Indianapolis, representing the icon that bears its name. This is the end of Rick’s era but it’s just the beginning of his Legacy.

Rick is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Tena Albrecht; children, Keith Albrecht and Cindy (Bob) Oats; grandchildren, Riley Albrecht (Rachel), Reid Albrecht, Chris Albrecht, and Heather Hall; great-grandchildren, Christopher Albrecht, Nathan Albrecht, Grace Albrecht, Hunter Hall and Parker Hall; stepchildren, Patrick Harvey (Emily), and John Harvey (Kristine); and sister, Marilyn Vincent.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, JoAnn Zimmerman (Charlie).

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 5301 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46224.  Following the Memorial, a Celebration of Rick’s Life will be held at Rick’s Boatyard & Marina, 4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254 from 1 – 4 PM.