Remembering an Industry Pioneer: Clark Ricks

Clark N. Ricks, editor of Waterproof! and ICF Builder magazines, passed away at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho, on January 7, age 45, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

Clark was born on July 8, 1975, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He spent his childhood in Boise and moved back to Idaho Falls in his teens. He majored in Latin American Studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and received his MBA from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Clark and his wife, Lillie, met in 1994 while both were studying at BYU and they married in December 2000.

As editor and part owner of Waterproof! and ICF Builder Magazine, both based in Mapleton, Utah, Clark was truly an asset to the ICF and waterproofing industry. Clark spent countless hours building relationships, researching, interviewing, and writing about each market. He was a strong advocate for the waterproofing industry as a whole. Clark wrote and edited 53 consecutive editions of Waterproof! magazine without missing a single deadline.

Outside of his magazine work, Clark was a naturally curious person who enjoyed learning, developing a new hobby or learning a new skill. Most recently, he was learning to play jazz piano, just one of several instruments he played. He also taught himself about beekeeping, was a proficient sailor, and enjoyed woodworking. Clark is survived by his wife, Lillie; his children Benjamin, Daniel, Hannah, and Heber; his father Norman Ricks; his sister Janene Wadsworth; and his brother Grant Ricks. 

Craig Shorts, president of this magazine, says, “Clark was a great business partner and friend. Clark contained a wealth of knowledge of the waterproofing and ICF industries that will be sorely missed.”