Rick Riffel

Rick Riffel 75 of Kannapolis, NC passed away peacefully Thursday January 22nd 2026, at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Born on July 20th 1950, In Jamestown, NY, the son of the late Robert G & Eleanor Mattison Riffel.

Rick graduated from Falconer High School, graduated from Jamestown business collage then Started his professional career. He went to work as a Loss control consultant for a local insurance company but was an entrepreneur at heart. He started many family businesses which included Lincoln Logs of Kennedy, NY. building over 200 log homes. He also owned Shane's Quaker State & Lube gas station in Kennedy, NY.

He started a little craft store with his wife at the Chautauqua Mall called The Tennessee Connection. With His love for Nascar and Racing they grew The Tennessee Connection into the largest chain of Nascar retail collectible stores in the country with seven personal stores in NY, PA and Ohio also franchised several more throughout the US.

He went onto work with his son as a professional driving instructor and demonstrating high performance vehicles for many different racing school’s driving at high speeds at various racetracks around the country.

He worked at Distribution Services incorporated for fifteen years traveling all 50 states with the love of his life, Nancy.

Beyond his business ventures traveling brought Rick immense joy. From scenic train rides, traveling to Hawaii & Florida (his happy place as he always called it) & visiting all 50 states. Riding his Harley Davidson with his wife on the back seeing the country and enjoyed many trips with his son to Sturgis & stopping at casinos along the way creating memories he cherished deeply.

His love for motorcycles led to his proudest accomplishment. Rick had a few strokes which than led to “ A STROKE OF GENIUS” He left his mark on the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Industry when he Invented the Rickrak. With help from his son they turned Rickrak into a global brand shipping motorcycle parts all over the world. He was so proud of Rickrak & everyone who helped it grow the last ten years. He has left a legacy with Rickrak that we will be proud to continue in his honor.

Rick had a huge heart, loved everyone, never met a stranger, and loved to tell stories. He was a jokester and wanted to make people laugh and boy did he!! He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Rick was proceeded in death by his mother Eleanor Riffel in 1995, father Robert Riffel in 2001, brother Dennis Riffel 2021, his best friend David Quist and his beloved dachshund fur babies: Bandit, Sierra, Brandi, & Cody.

He is survived by his best friend & wife Nancy Newman Riffel of 53 years whom he married Aug 5th 1972 in Kennedy, NY. A Son Shane Robert Riffel his wife Tonya Riffel, step-Grandaughter Bryanna “Bree” Butera of Kannapolis, NC. Also survived by sister in law Linda Riffel, brother in law's Michael Newman (Marsha), Thomas Newman (Terry), sister in law Marian Ramsey (Jeff). Also survived by close friends Joyce Warren. Ryan Swanson, Jason Helms, & John Hitchcock who thought of him as their 2nd dad.

A celebration of Ricks amazing life will be held at a later date, As family and friends gather to honor and remember the remarkable man he was.