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Marvin Richard Marek Jr. is beloved and known to most as Rick Marek. On November 10, 2025, in Christ, Rick passed away after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. As a man of quiet faith, hope and love, he never stopped being there for others. Many who were close to him noted his steadiness, courage, strength and endurance even when comforts began to fade. Born in Dallas in 1951 to Marvin and Alice Marek, Rick grew into these character traits from an early age. While the rest of his high school classmates were busy earning their driver’s licenses, he earned his pilot’s license as well as his driver’s license. Rick flew an airplane solo at age 16. Running track in high school and making it through to the state track meet was a kick start for making it through to earning a BS in Biology and a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Texas in Austin. While working and with a young family to care for, he attended night classes to earn a MS in Health Professions with a focus on administration from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Rick married his high school sweetheart and remained lovingly married to her for 52 years. They have two sons and reared them to also acquire their college degrees, establishing a fun family football rivalry as both sons attended Texas A&M, and not UT. Rick loved to be physically active outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, yard work and played tennis lifelong- even as late in life as a couple of days before his diagnosis. With the diagnosis came the knowledge of how challenging the disease would be. Rick was already very familiar with health care. When Rick started his career as a pharmacist, he established on-site pharmacy services for the Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital in Gonzales, Texas. He advanced toward becoming an Administrative Assistant and then, an Associate Administrator for the hospital in Gonzales. Eventually, he directed the construction and opening of the San Antonio Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital located in the medical center in San Antonio, Texas. There he led as the facility’s first Administrator. As the hospital system grew, he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer. The expansion of the not-for-profit system ultimately guided him into serving as the Executive Vice President for the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. The system of hospitals and facilities was extended statewide, and Rick served as the CEO of the Warm Springs Hospital System until it was sold to a for-profit company, Post Acute Medical, headquartered in Pennsylvania. However, the Warm Springs Foundation was kept in place to serve its not-for profit mission. Rick worked for Post Acute Medical as a Hospital Division President serving facilities in many states until he retired. During his long career, he became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. For years, Rick served throughout the United States as a Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. He was an active member of the State of Texas Governor’s Council of Disabilities and an Executive Committee Member for the Greater San Antonio Hospital Council. Additionally, he was a member of the Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists, the Oak Hills Rotary, Arthritis Foundation, South Texas Chapter Board Member and served on the Board of the San Antonio Credit Union. He received the President’s Award for Excellence, for the Warm Springs Foundation. On November 20, 2025, Rick was laid to rest at Mission Park Dominion in San Antonio. A private, intimate service was attended by his immediate family. Rick was a loving husband to Frieda; a wonderful father to sons, Jake and Ry, with their wives, Brie and Suzanne; a cherished grandfather (PopPop) to Jacqueline, Rowan, Stella and London; a warm and kind brother to Martha and Michelle with husbands Mark and Robert, and sister, Mindy and brother Marc; and a fun-loving brother-in-law to Herman and Karen and Bart and Carol. Moreover, Rick fostered lifelong relationships with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. With a never-ending sense of humor and care for others. Rick was a good neighbor, a loyal friend and a partnering co-worker. Rick dedicated his 40-year career to Warm Springs and those most frail. He touched so many lives and will be dearly missed but not forgotten. In memory of Rick Marek, his family requests donations be made to: Warm Springs Foundation, 250 W. Nottingham Dr., Ste 320, San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 714-1849

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Marvin Richard "Rick" Marek, Jr.

June 7, 1951 - November 10, 2025