Wall of Fame Class of 2025

Affectionately known as “The Butterfly Guy,” Rick was a lifelong advocate for environmental education and butterfly conservation. 

As the owner of Hole-In-Hand Butterfly Farm, the co-founder of the International Butterfly Breeders Association, and the President of Butterfly Rescue International, Rick was an entrepreneurial pioneer in butterfly farming and exhibits. 

For over 40 years, Rick delighted audiences of all ages with his humorous, off-beat way of looking at butterflies. After visiting Central America to study how the butterflies there lived, he shared his knowledge further by publishing several award-winning books, including The Family Butterfly Book, The Butterfly Fandex, and Garden Butterflies of North America. 

As an internationally known expert in butterflies, Rick made multiple appearances on national television and radio and was a staff writer for several magazines. He was featured in People, Organic Gardening, and Entrepreneur magazines, and appeared on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. CSI: Las Vegas even asked for his expertise as a consultant.

Throughout his career, Rick designed and installed live butterfly exhibits at Hershey Gardens, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, and Dollywood and advised on butterfly garden installations across North America. In the U.S., Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, Rick consulted on endangered species re-establishment projects, helping to further the longevity of key species. 

In February 2025, Rick passed away at St. Luke Pavilion surrounded by his family. Before his passing, he handed the business off to his daughter, Butterfly Lynn, whose son Harley ’12 also attended MMI. Throughout his life, Rick was able to share his love for butterflies with thousands of people, inspiring them to learn more about these beautiful creatures. Through his family and those he inspired, his legacy is carried on.