South Bend, Indiana is mourning the devastating and senseless loss of one of its most beloved citizens, Rick Balmer, who was tragically killed on July 12, 2025, while riding his motorcycle home. His life was taken far too soon by a drunk driver — a heartbreaking ending to the life of a man who had given so much to so many.
Rick Balmer was the kind of man whose presence could never go unnoticed — not simply because of his physical stature, but because of the weight of his heart, his values, and his unwavering dedication to others. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a loyal friend, and a fierce advocate for veterans and Gold Star families. To say he had a passion for honoring our nation’s heroes would be an understatement. It was his mission, his heartbeat, and his way of life.
Just one week before his death, Rick helped raise over $154,000 to sponsor an Honor Flight — an initiative that provides veterans with an all-expenses-paid journey to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Rick didn’t just support the cause; he lived it. He championed those who served, who sacrificed, and who continued to carry the weight of war long after the battles ended. For Rick, their stories mattered — and he made sure they were remembered.
We first met the Balmers the Christmas after Jason died. It was a season wrapped in grief, and yet, Rick and his family stepped in with open arms. They “adopted” our children and made the holiday as special, warm, and full of light as it could possibly be. That was Rick — a man who never ignored pain, who didn’t wait to be asked, who simply showed up.
He came to the ceremony at the flight facility on Jason’s birthday, stood beside us at mile markers for the Indiana Run for the Fallen, and joined hands with other Gold Star families in moments of remembrance. Rylie absolutely adored him — and who wouldn’t? He was kind, attentive, and he listened in a way that made you feel understood.
Rick wasn’t shy about his own sorrow. He carried the memory of his little brother, Ryan, who was killed in action, with deep emotion. He had his motorcycle customized with a portrait of Ryan and often said he was “riding with the little brother.” That phrase wasn’t just symbolic — it was how Rick lived his life. Every ride, every event, every act of service was a tribute to Ryan, and to all those who never made it home.
He would stop by our home before we moved, parking his semi-truck on the street just to visit. He asked about our ongoing battle with the VA, offered his support, and never once forgot the people he stood beside. Rick was the kind of man who didn’t just say he cared — he proved it again and again, through action, time, and sacrifice.
His death is more than a tragedy — it is a seismic loss to this community, to the veteran families he lifted up, to the friends he stood beside, and to the people whose lives he helped mend. His absence will be felt in every Gold Star ceremony, every Honor Flight departure, and every quiet moment of remembrance. The streets will feel emptier without the rumble of his bike, without his firm handshake and the tears he never hid when honoring the fallen.
Rick Balmer’s legacy is not just in what he did — it’s in who he was. He gave more than his time. He gave his heart. And the people of South Bend — especially those who wore the uniform and the families who bore the cost — will never forget him.
Give Heaven some hell, Rick.
Your ride may be over here, but your spirit will always be with us — on the road, at the mile markers, at the memorials, and in the hearts of everyone whose life you touched.
