Ricky Allen Novak

Ricky Allen Novak

Cedar Rapids

Ricky Allen Novak, 67, of Cedar Rapids took his walk on the Stairway to Heaven on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 after a four-year battle with lung cancer and its complications.

Rick came barreling into this world on Sept. 28, 1954. Lois and Melvin Novak raised him into the rock star that he was.

He attended Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. He decided at a very young age that music was his passion. He bought his first guitar after an entire summer of mowing his aunt’s yard. Without one single lesson, he taught himself how to play. He was inspired by The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. He traveled the Midwest with multiple bands as lead guitarist and

singer, including The Dearly Departed, Way Cool Jr., Spinnin' Jenny, Stone Garden, Maxx Static, and various others. Rick was able to pick up an instrument and teach himself how to play in a matter of hours. He provided audio recording services to local artists and voice-over actors for many years. In 2005, he retired from his band life and began recording his own music. In 2014, he opened Sounds by Novak DJ Services after DJ’ing multiple events across Eastern Iowa. He ran his DJ business part-time with family until retiring in 2021. He especially enjoyed working with young couples to design a mix of music and lighting displays for weddings that would make memories of their special day last forever.

In 1991, Rick married Julie Hansel in Mt. Vernon. No one thought they would last, but their love for music and laughter kept their relationship strong. After more than 30 years together, Julie is Still The One. In 1993, they welcomed their favorite (only) child into the world, Nicole. Rick was the world’s best stay-at-home dad and homemaker for his girls. In 2017, he allowed Jacob Schroeder to officially join the family as Nicole fell in love, and he always wanted a son, too.

Rick was preceded in death by his infant brother, David; his mother, his father, father-in-law, Paul Hansel; and his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, brother, Gary (Elaine) Novak of Springfield, Ill., mother-in-law, Barbara Hansel of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, Brett (Sarah) Hansel of Cedar Rapids; nieces and nephews, and two granddogs, Roger and Tilly. Many will remember him for his musical talents, but most will remember him for his quick wit, awesome sense of humor, and his big heart.

Rick requested no funeral services, but a Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Stuff is too sad right now without him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family or a donation may be made in his memory to Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids to support young musicians to follow their dreams, just like he did.