Rick Carlile, friend, fellow collector, mentor, and pillar of the image collecting community, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on September 23—the 53rd anniversary of his marriage to Marlene, his steadfast wife.
Rick touched so many collectors, and played an enormous role in this magazine as a senior editor. Rick believed in sharing and he contributed regularly. When I became editor and publisher, Rick encouraged me to keep the magazine going, and build upon the work of founder Harry Roach. Rick also introduced me to Rick Brown, who immediately lent his support and examples of his amazing collection.
I learned about Rick’s diagnosis at the summer Gettysburg Show. As friends do, I asked him what I could do to ease his burdens. Without missing a beat, Rick replied, “You can publish my backpack images and my portraits of Lytle,”
And so we did. The autumn issue cover story featured the best of Rick’s backpackers—with a big shout out to Contributing Editor Mike Cunningham for writing the story. Mike has my eternal gratitude. Inside is the story of Brig. Gen. William Haines Lytle, the poet-warrior of the 10th Ohio Infantry, illustrated with previously unpublished portraits. Also in the issue is a wonderful albumen from Rick’s collection of Company B of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Point Lookout, which Phil Spaugy highlighted in his Of Arms and Men column. Thank you and huzzah, Phil.
I thought about dedicating my editor’s note for the autumn issue to Rick’s life and contributions, but could not bring myself to do it while he lived.
When the issue came back from the printer, and before it went into the mail for subscribers, Rick’s family moved him to hospice care. I texted a picture of the cover to Rick’s son, Jay—who kept me and other friends up to date on his father’s condition. Jay told me the nurse would print it out and show it to Rick when next he opened his eyes. I hope he was able to glimpse it.
“If there was a regiment of image collectors, Rick Carlile would be the colonel,” the late MI Senior Editor John Sickles told Executive Editor Rick Brown years ago. Rick is now with John and other collectors—Henry Deeks, Mike McAfee, and others who poured their passion into showcasing, interpreting, and preserving Civil War images. I can only imagine the deals they’re making and conversations they’re having!
Rest in peace, Rick—we will remember.
Ronald S. Coddington
Editor & Publisher
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