Richard Luis Obituary

Richard (Rick) Charles Luis
9/4/1945 – 6/28/2025
Richard (Rick) Charles Luis passed away peacefully at Maplewood Rehabilitation on June 28th. Rick was born 9/4/45 as the son of Carlos W. Luis & Lillian Barofsky Luis, who met & married while both were serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II - he as an officer on a minesweeper in the Pacific and she in the first class of WAVES stationed on Treasure Island, CA. When she became pregnant, she was discharged from the Navy and returned to live with her family in Elkton, MD, with Rick being born in a nearby DE hospital. His father was assigned to some clean-up in China after WWII and did not meet his son until Rick was over one year old.
Eventually, Rick's father became Principal of the Shakopee, MN High School, from which Rick graduated in 1963.
When Rick was 15 years old he was selected to represent Minnesota at Camp Rising Sun, a summer camp in Upstate New York with campers from all around the world. It inspired him to take an international view of life, continue making friends from around the world and support the LAJF foundation enabling it.
Rick attended Yale University, where he was active in the student radio station until he graduated with a history major in 1967. He started at the University of Minnesota Law School until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an Atomic Demolitions specialist in Germany. After that, he held several jobs with the State of Minnesota before returning to the U of MN Law School and graduating in 1974.
He met his future wife, Juanita (Nita) Bolland at a party of State employees in April 1974, with him scheduled to graduate from Law School in June and her starting that Fall. They were married in August 1977. They had a wonderful Honeymoon in September 1977, as he introduced her to the wonders of Europe - and they've been traveling ever since to over 130 countries.
Most of Rick's law career was with the State of MN, first as a Unemployment Law Judge and then as an Administrative Law Judge until his retirement in 2012. He held hearings in 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties. His cases included the extension of the Prarie Island Nuclear plant, power line locations, electric rate increases, and professional licenses.
Rick remained active in many volunteer activities: Treasurer of his Yale Class, past President and Board member of the Yale Alumni Assn. of the Northwest, Board member of the Shakopee Educational Endowment Fund, etc. Rick and Nita have endowed scholarships at Yale, the University of Minnesota Law School, & U of MN Athletics.
But since Rick's health declined in March 2024, he has been cared for at Maplewood Rehabilitation, with welcome visits from many friends, relatives, and Health Partners Hospice staff.
Rick is survived by his wife Juanita (Nita) Bolland Luis, brother David (Peter) Luis in Australia, sister Deborah Luis Edwards and her children Max and Rebecca Edwards - all in Phoenix, AZ. Brother-in-law, Arnold (Adrianne) Bolland, their children Stephanie (Phillip) Weiner and Arnold Orion Bolland. As well as great niece Layla Weiner, all residing in Minnesota. In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your charity of choice in remembrance of Rick.
A memorial service for Rick will be held on Sunday, August 10th, 2025 at 2pm with an hour visitation prior at Roseville Memorial Chapel (2245 Hamline Ave N, Roseville). A private interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Please read a tribute about Rick written through the University of Minnesota Law School in honor of his achievements and contributions to the program : https://law.umn.edu/news/2025-07-15-tribute-minnesota-law-mourns-passing-hon-richard-c-luis-74
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