“A guy of attainments, greatness, kindness, and fun, Rick was a near perfect example of what politics should be about. He had the magic. Best of all, he knew how to make each of his friends feel special. We will miss him forever.” – a Friend.
The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation proudly recognizes The Honorable Richard M. Nolan as the 2025 Legacy Memorial Honoree, posthumously honoring a life marked by dedication, service, and a deep love for community.
Early Roots and Local Inspiration
Born and raised in Brainerd, Minnesota, Rick Nolan was shaped by a civic-minded family and a powerful sense of public duty. His father’s guiding words — “Always look out for the little guy”— became a lifelong mantra. Working for his aunt, Eleanor Nolan, a local attorney and judge known for her community engagement, sparked Rick’s early interest in public service.
“She loved being in public and helping people,” said his son Mike Nolan. “That’s where he got it.”
A Rare Congressional Career
Rick’s political journey was both remarkable and rare. He served three terms in the U.S. Congress in the 1970s, then returned to private life for over 30 years—only to be re-elected in 2012 for three more terms. Known for bridging divides and building consensus, he often began meetings by saying, “Let’s start with what we can agree on.”
He was named one of the top ten most effective members of the 113th U.S. Congress, and is remembered for fighting tirelessly for working families, seniors, students, and rural communities.
“He was a fighter for the middle class, for senior citizens, for students, for the poor,” said former staffer Jeff Anderson. “But he did not lose sight of the fact that he also represented miners, loggers, and farmers. He worked every day to represent their interests, too.”
Lung Cancer Advocacy
Among Rick’s most personal legislative efforts was to introduce Katherine’s Law, a bipartisan drafted bill to expand access to lung cancer screening in honor of his daughter Katherine Bensen, who passed away in 2020. This effort exemplified his deep commitment to public health and his family’s legacy of service.
Life Beyond Politics
Rick’s love for his home state extended beyond public office. He taught high school social studies in Royalton (MN), was instrumental in the creation of the Minnesota World Trade Center, and later sold his sawmill and pallet manufacturing business in Emily (MN) to his daughter Leah and her husband, Dan Heggerston. Guided by Rick’s vision of sustainability and stewardship, they successfully grew Pallet MINNESOTA from the loyal customer base Rick had cultivated.
“He loved everything about trees! He planted so many trees,” Leah said. “He thought it was fun. Now, looking out at the varied growth, I see his ‘full circle’ philosophy on the forestry industry come to life.”
Civic Leadership and Community Impact
Rick served on the boards of organizations including the Central Lakes College Foundation (as President), the Northern Pines Mental Health Center, and the Rosenmeier Forum. He was also a frequent lecturer for the Initiative Foundation, sharing his passion for community-building and leadership.
Even after retiring from Congress, Rick remained deeply engaged in grassroots politics, knocking on doors and supporting local DFL candidates. His lifelong civic contributions earned him honors including the Brainerd High School Hall of Fame, the Outstanding Forest Steward Award 2024, and the Joan and Walter Mondale Award for Public Service.
Philosophy and Legacy of Hope
Rick believed deeply in equal opportunity—for food, health care, education, and economic security—and worked to make those ideals reality.
“From what I could tell, he just wanted to make this area a better place for everybody,” said his son Mike. “He had tremendous hope for the future and worked every day to make it better for those who came after him.”
Rick’s advice was simple but powerful:
“If you do not have the money, you have the time. Prioritize one or the other—but do something. Stay involved in your community. It is where you live. It is where your children learn. It is where you have fun.”
Life Grounded in Family and Nature
Rick and his wife Mary, together for over 40 years, built a life rooted in family and nature. They hunted, fished, harvested wild rice, tapped maples, and planted thousands of trees. He also kept bees—a hobby that reflected his deep respect for nature’s delicate balance and his lifelong curiosity about the world around him.
His son John said, “Dad absolutely loved being in nature… when he was not out trying to change the world. He taught so many people about the importance of enjoying and respecting our region’s riches!”
Rick’s devotion to family included being father to Mike, Leah, John, and the late Katherine—and an enthusiastic grandfather to 13 grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
“He was a humble guy,” Mary shared. “He never forgot where he came from or who he was. He was a man of principle and integrity, and he was bigger than life because he was so enthusiastic about life.”
A Lasting Tribute
Rick Nolan’s legacy lives not only in the offices he held or the trees he planted—but in the values he instilled, the community he uplifted, and the lives he touched.
As his daughter Leah reflected:
“He would hope that everybody would rise to the occasion for this community—because he would. He would expect you to. And, like a true friend, he would make sure you ‘showed up’.”