IAVM Retired Member Richard John “Rick” Freiberg passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2021 at age 71.
“Rick was a member of IAVM for 30-plus years,” said Kerry (Bublitz) Freiberg, his wife of 27 years. “He enjoyed the professional development and networking. Many thanks for fostering the friendships through IAVM.”
Rick believed in a Catholic education and attended Holy Assumption Grade School and graduated from Pius XI
High School, Milwaukee, in 1968. He graduated in 1972 from Marquette University with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech. He was a proud officer of the MU Blue and Gold Club and attended MU basketball games since 1968 and was a season ticket holder for most of those years.
Following graduation, he worked for a short time on the assignment desk at Channel 6, WITI. In 1975, he worked for the City of Milwaukee Bicentennial Commission and was instrumental in planning and facilitating this 200th celebration for the community. Rick joined the Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center and Arena (MECCA) in 1976 and served in executive roles throughout his 38-year career.
Early in his career, he booked entertainment in the Arena. He was proud to have brought Frank Sinatra and also Luciano Pavarotti for performances to Milwaukee. His touch on the entertainment world spanned from Elvis to Eddie Murphy to Bruce Springsteen to Olympic skaters and tennis professionals. He was on the team that negotiated contracts with the Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Wave, Marquette University Basketball and UW-Milwaukee Basketball, teams that all played in the Arena.
Rick was integral to establishing the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame – the permanent memorial to Wisconsin’s outstanding athletes – located on 6th Street, outside the then US Cellular Arena. He also facilitated the naming rights of the US Cellular Arena. Rick was behind the scenes closing deals and generating new revenue streams for MECCA now the Wisconsin Center District. It was a job he loved and he has left a legacy of integrity and hard work.
Memorials may continue to be made to Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Foundation scholarships or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
