Rick Volin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away, surrounded by his wife and children, on Jan. 22, 2026, of complications stemming from cardiac arrest. He was 68.
Rick was vivacious, full of life and verve. A cheerful man, he was at his best when he was talking with a new or old friend, sharing a laugh, and trading stories. He played tennis growing up, wearing out his sneakers on the McKennan Park courts, and enjoyed the game throughout his life. He was an ardent fan of the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits and Detroit sports teams. He liked plays and loved music.
Rick had a wonderfully strong moral compass — he would tell you what he believed was right and why; the why was always about the good work people (government included) can do to help others. In a final act of generosity, he donated his body to the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.
Rick was authentically himself—he was open and freely emotional; he cried during movies and laughed heartily at jokes. He was genuine and true. He met his wife, Ann, at SDSU; their first date was the Dec. 3, 1976, Pierson Hall dinner dance, and they were married on May 19, 1979. He loved his wife. He treasured his children. He adored his grandchildren. He was proud of his family.
Richard Kean Cronin Volin was born to Verlynne and Suzanne Volin on April 3, 1957, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ann Barnett Volin, his children, Daniel, Katherine (Sean), and Andrée (Michael); grandchildren, Joshua, Moses, Theodore, and Isla; siblings Suzanne (Larry) LaBrecque, Jamie (Penny) Volin, Ginnie (Jerry) Wempe, Mignonne (Rand) Schwebach, Andrée (Dave) Johnson, Michelle (Richard) VanDemark, and John (Valeria) Volin. In-laws include Greg Barnett, Pat (Kim) Barnett, Jean Barnett, Rose Barnett, and Eileen (Jed) Skogerboe, and numerous nieces and nephews. They will all miss him more than can be put into words.
A visitation will be held on Feb. 26, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, South Dakota. A Funeral Mass will be held on Feb. 27, 2026, at noon at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Brookings, South Dakota.
The family suggests donations to the following memorials:
The Epilepsy Foundation: https://donate.epilepsy.com/campaigns/Rick-Volin-Memorial
SDSU Choral Department: https://www.sdstatealumnifoundation.org/
Click on the link and follow the steps to enter “Memorial for Richard Volin” under “Other” to benefit the SDSU Choral Department.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.
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