Rick Baltz
Rick Baltz, an artist, writer, teacher, lawyer, father, grandfather, friend who always approached life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and joy, passed away on October 21, 2021. He was 69.
Whether it was the joy his family brought him, the energy he found in the classroom, the peace he felt through his faith, the laughter he enjoyed with his friends, or the beauty he found in his art, life just made Rick smile.
He was a student of the stage, particularly the Renaissance, and traveled to the home of the Bard to study it first-hand. He learned the bagpipe and played it with joy. He was a painter, producing beautiful canvases that were varied in subject matter, diverse in media, and plentiful in production, giving his family and friends an abundance of his spirit to enjoy forever.
The fifth of seven children born to Reba and Martin Baltz, Rick grew up with all of his cousins, literally, because each of the five Baltz Brothers lived in each of five houses on Elm Hill Pike. No wonder that family was always the center of Rick’s life, and knowing that family, is it any wonder that he was always happy.
He came to Father Ryan High School from Holy Rosary Academy and threw himself into all things Irish, which prepared him for his college days, spent in the land of the Fighting Irish in South Bend at his beloved Notre Dame. A 1974 graduate, he served as one of the managers of the football team and painted the famous golden helmets before every game.
Rick spent high school summers working on the packing floor at Baltz Brothers, but it was clear that his future lay in another setting. He left bacon and ham behind to study contracts and torts, beginning his legal career in Nashville at Foley, Weiss, Baltz, and Eisenstein, one that would prove successful for him and for his clients. It also proved brief, for something else was calling him. Education. In classrooms from Hunters Lane High School to Pope John Paul II, Rick found his audience and embraced this new career, teaching English Literature, Shakespeare, and Drama to students who hadn’t had a teacher like Rick.
Rick was predeceased by his parents Reba and Martin Baltz, his aunt, Dorothy Gallaher, siblings Doug Baltz and Theresa Baltz Petty and by his brother-in-law Jack Quirk. He is survived by his friend and long-time spouse Vickey Baltz and their three children, Josh Baltz and his wife, Annalisa; Erin Baltz Riggs. and her husband Cory; Britti Baltz Tilson and her husband Derrall; his grandchildren Conrad and Brody Baltz, Cameron Johnson, Tess and Sloane Riggs, Sam and Mae Tilson; his siblings Coleen (Richard) Hanley, Sheila Quirk, Phyllis (Pat) McGee, and Wayne Baltz; his sisters-in-law Becky Baltz and Lisa O’Connor; brothers-in-law Thaxton Petty; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved canine companion, Finnegan.
The family wishes to thank the following people for their genuine acts of kindness during this time: Olivia Hinchman, his hospice nurse; Sue Cook, his neighbor; Danny Darst and Frederick Strobel, Father Ryan classmates and friends.
In the ongoing hope of helping others, Rick donated his body to Vanderbilt University Medical School. However, the family is proud to have the following individuals serve as Honorary Pallbearers: Danny Darst, Danny Dugan, Dan Eisenstein, Conrad Baltz, Wayne Baltz, and the Father Ryan Class of 1970.
A Visitation with the family will be held on Monday, October 25 from 4:00-8:00pm and on Tuesday, October 26 from 10:00-11:00am. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, October 26 at 11:00am. All events will take place at Holy Rosary Church at 190 Graylynn Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. Masks are encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, Rick requested that gifts be made to Holy Rosary Academy, Holy Rosary Church, Room In The Inn, or Father Ryan High School.
