Rick Stephenson

Rick Stephenson  07/23/1944-03/19/2021

In a drum corps career touching six decades, Rick marched and instructed drum corps from the late 1950’s to the early 2000’s. He started in his hometown of Austin, MN with the Austin Lancers and the Spamtown Lancers in the 1950’s. While attending the University of Minnesota, he marched with the St. Paul Scouts from 1964-1966. After a tour of duty in the Navy in Vietnam and then work in Texas, Rick returned to Minnesota. He began marching with MBI in the early 1970’s, playing to the end of the 1990’s. During that time he played soprano, mellophone, and finally baritone. He was a well-respected player by those who played alongside him.

Rick’s contributions to MBI went far beyond performing: he was Corps Director in 1977, and a visual instructor and Show Coordinator in the early 1980’s. Rick’s teaching contributions extended beyond MBI, writing and teaching visual to the St. Croix Rivermen in their most successful period (1979-80), and also the Zuhrah Shrine Drum Corps into the early 2000’s.

A spirited, very well-liked individual with a quick wit, Rick was one of several who helped to usher in the transformation MBI experienced in the mid-1980’s, which set in motion a 30 year period of success for MBI on and off the field. 

For All We Know

Tribute written by MBI Alum Henry Wadsworth