AFTON, Minn. – Richard ”Rick” Adrien LaVerdiere, of Afton Minn., 76, passed away April 20, 2024 at the Pillars Hospice, Oakdale, Minn. of Lewy Body Dementia.

Rick was born in Lewiston to his beloved parents, Constance and Adrien who predeceased him. He graduated from the University of Maine and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was accepted for naval pilot training at Pensacola, Fla. Following his military service and honorable discharge, Rick returned to Maine.

Rick had always dreamed about being a lawyer and searched for a law school where he could work while going to class. It seemed to be fate when a course catalog from William Mitchell College of Law fell off a shelf right on his head as he was looking for schools at the library. And that was the serendipity that led Rick to move from Maine to Minnesota to attend law school where he worked for the Mahoney Law Firm while a student.

Upon law school graduation, Rick joined the legal department of the St Paul Companies, in Saint Paul, Minn. where he was part of their legal defense department and tried hundreds of cases.

Rick, who never forgot his roots, was always a passionate advocate for the underdog, and so he followed his heart in joining the Hertogs, Fluegel law firm, later the Sieben, Polk firm to do plaintiffs’ work. There, Rick was a fierce advocate for his clients and practiced law with great integrity, brilliance, and vigilance. He took great pride in being an attorney and in being partner in the firms and was a loyal colleague to his coworkers.

Rick received recognition and many honors during his legal career of over 40 years and was a former president of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association. Rick was certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, was named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for several years by the American Trial Lawyers Association, a Super Lawyer in Minnesota many years in a row, and one of the Best Lawyers in America.

Rick had many interests and talents. He created and built three beautiful homes, loved to ski, especially out west, and was a die-hard hockey fan, a youth hockey coach and played in amateur leagues for many years.

Rick had a great interest in cars, especially Porches and one of the great loves of his life was his convertible Porche “Iris”. He was a former president of the Nordstern Porche Club and participated in Porche racing and drivers education events around the country.

Rick loved the outdoors, animals and wildlife and loved living in the country and taking care of his rural property, which he did with the same dedication and attention to detail he brought to all his endeavors.

Rick loved to travel and had a special love of Hawaii. He was proud of his French and French Canadian heritage, and one of the highlights of his life was the opportunity to visit France and Paris, where he and Lisa became engaged. He cherished the opportunities he had to spend time with his grandchildren.

He was a sophisticated gentleman who loved fine dining and had an appreciation for the arts, music, and reading and had hoped to study the French language after his retirement.

While there were many dreams left unfulfilled, cut short due to the relentless disease, Rick lived a rich, full life of accomplishment, integrity, contribution and love of his family and friends. He leaves a legacy of kindness, honor and generosity that will forever live in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Lisa; his dear sons Christophe and Michel and daughter-in-law Victoria, all of Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.; and sisters Claire (Bruce) Beaulieu and Pauline (Ric) Blair of Maine; his former wife, Linda and the mother of his sons; his beloved grandchildren Adrien, Jason, Grace and Olivette, his mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Jane Micallef, who welcomed him into the warm embrace of their family; sisters-in-law Maura, Sara, Amy and Erin and brothers-in-law, Henry, Joe, and Todd; special niece, Carrie and nephew George, as well as nieces Cherie, Jane and Kate; and nephews Alex, Jonathan, Ben and Issac; and many cherished friends.

Rick’s memorial service will be on Friday May 3 at the St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Lake St. Croix Beach, Minn. at 10:30 a.m. with visitation an hour before where our family will greet those attending. Commitment will be at Resurrection Cemetery immediately after the service. A luncheon in Rick’s honor will follow at the Pool and Yacht Club, Lillydale, Minn.

Memorials in Rick’s honor may be made to Home for Life Animal Sanctuary (Donate to Home for Life |

Home for Life)

or donor’s choice.

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