Continental Flooring Says Goodbye to Industry Icon Richard Bickler

The flooring world lost an icon last month. After 29 years of being part of the Continental Flooring Company family, Richard (Rick) Bickler passed away unexpectedly on February 1, 2018. Serving as the National Sales Manager for Material Only Sales, Rick was an integral part of Continental’s success over nearly three decades.

Rick’s career in the flooring industry began in 1973 during a high school work program with The R.C. Musson Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. A year later, he was a full-time employee and learning the ins and outs of flooring materials while working in Musson’s warehouse. Rick soon moved into customer service in the Industrial Department, and in 1979 he moved to the Commercial Flooring Department. He was a walking encyclopedia of flooring information! Over the next ten years, Rick became an important part of the Musson team.

During his tenure at R.C. Musson Rubber, Rick developed a working relationship with the owner and founder of Continental Flooring Company, James Coleman. In 1988, Mr. Coleman invited Rick to visit the Continental office in Scottsdale, Arizona and offered him a sales position at the company. Rick quickly accepted the job and a chance to live in the Arizona sunshine. The two men became fast friends and worked closely together until Mr. Coleman’s passing in 1999. Rick stepped in and stepped up becoming the Manager of Continental’s very successful Material Only division. His unmatched product knowledge, passion and caring nature complimented all those he encountered. Rick Bickler was one of the flooring greats and he will be missed by all.