Richard Eugene “Rick” Long was born on June 7, 1949, in Lafayette, Indiana, son of Richard Long and Jean (Cohee) Long. Rick had two older sisters and one younger brother.
He completed phase one of the U.S. Army’s Leadership Preparation Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on August 30, 1969. Following his service he had a variety of jobs, many related to the HVAC industry. His daughter Bridget was born in1975, and daughter Christina in 1977.
In 1993 he moved to Bloomington, Indiana, to oversee the Electrolux store there. In 1994 he met and married his second wife Rhonda Stone. Shortly after that he established a very successful company, Central Vacuum Systems, selling and installing built-in vacuum units in both new construction and existing homes and businesses.
He volunteered extensively with the Boys and Girls Club, building furniture for them and donating to their scholarship fund. Rick was vice-president of his local woodturners club through 2024,
Retiring in 2012, he and Rhonda moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he joined the Montgomery County Woodworkers. There he met several IWCS members and enthusiastically joined the society. In 2019 they moved to Magnolia Springs, Alabama, and he continued to participate in arts and craft shows. His local club there made wooden toys for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, and he was a prolific creator of many little cars and trucks.
Rick and Rhonda joined the IWCS in 2015. Anyone who knew Rick will attest that from the very beginning he wasn’t interested in being a member in the background. He was either in office or campaigning for an office or other position for as long as he was a member, right up until about a week before his passing. Rhonda was always at his side with his IWCS work. Following is but a short list of his accomplishments:
- Vice-president 2020-22
- Member of the Bylaws committee
- Developed Power Point presentation for the Society website
- Co-hosted the 2022 southeast Winter Fest
- Hosted the 2023 southeast region Winter Fest
- Hosted the 2023 AGM in Shocco Springs, Alabama
- 2024 appointed southeast Regional Trustee
- Hosted the 2025 Spring Fling in Shocco Springs, Alabama
- President-elect from October 2024 through February 2025
- President from February 2025 through July 2025
Rick was dedicated and determined. He resigned as president on July 21, 2025, when his declining health wouldn’t allow him to proceed, only days before his passing on July 29, 2025. He will truly be missed.
President Rick Long with past presidents (L to R) Gary Green, Mark Duff, Garry Roux, Art Lee and Elaine Hunt at Spring Fling 2025 at Shocco Springs, AL.
Rick clowning with Jack Hill, Stan Joehlin, and Mark Duff at the Texas AGM in 2022.
Rick assisting auctioneer Thom Bundza at the Texas AGM in 2022.
Rick and Rhonda at the 2023 Shocco Springs AGM.
