Richard "Rick" Amos Van Zandt

Richard (Rick) Amos Van Zandt, 51, of Napa, California, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026. He was born on October 16, 1974, to Richard and Margaret Van Zandt, in Vallejo, California. Rick attended Vichy Elementary School, Silverado Middle School, Vintage High School (Class of ‘92), and the Napa Junior College. 

His love of sports started early in childhood and he developed many lifelong friends playing T-ball, soccer, baseball and basketball.  He always looked forward to skiing and hiking in Tahoe and four-wheeling on the Rubicon Trial. There are many fond memories of summers and holidays spent at the family cabin in Tahoma, Lake Tahoe.

In adulthood, Rick was a bright and friendly guy with a curiosity about just anything. He especially loved cooking, film, history, music, and sports. Whether he was reading a book or deep into a documentary, he was always absorbing something new. He was more than happy to share what he’d learned when family or friends had a question. His family will deeply miss his endless collection of random facts and bits of trivia, the way he lit up when he shared them, and the conversations that followed.

His love of cooking began early, spending countless hours at his grandparents’ restaurant, Highway 29 Cafe. His Grandma Rinko and Uncle Allen patiently taught him the family recipes, and in that kitchen he found both his talent and his passion. After years of long hours and hard work, Rick eventually purchased and ran the restaurant alongside his business partner and head chef, George Maltezos. Those years were some of his happiest. He took immense pride in carrying on the family legacy and preserving the quality and charm that regulars loved. When the time came to sell the restaurant, Rick transitioned into a career in wine hospitality. But, he was always at his best in his own kitchen. Cooking for family and friends was how he showed love, and no one ever left his table hungry.

Rick married the love of his life, Shelly Bledsoe. Together they raised three children, Madison, Jake, and Logan. Throughout their marriage, Rick and Shelly created a home for their family that was filled with joy, music, and love. They ingrained values of hard work, respect for others, and a love of old-school hip-hop, reggae and rock-n-roll within their children. Their home quickly became the gathering place. It was the house where friends were always welcome, the door was always open, and there was always good food to share. 

Rick was also defined by his love of sports. Baseball and basketball were his first loves, and he played both throughout high school until a knee injury sidelined him. Still, that competitive spirit never left. It was rare to walk into the house without a game on TV. He proudly rooted for his beloved, back-to-back World Series Champion Dodgers, along with the A’s, Raiders, Warriors, and Nebraska Cornhuskers (Go Big Red!). And if there happened to be something a little more obscure, like the World Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship, he was just as invested. As long as someone was keeping score, Rick was interested.

He passed that fierce love of sports on to his children, encouraging every athletic pursuit that sparked their interest: baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, t-ball, tennis, track, volleyball, you name it. He was their #1 fan, personal chef, chauffeur, and often their coach. Rick coached CYO basketball, rec league soccer, and traveling soccer, finding real joy in helping kids grow their skills and confidence.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in the memories, in the music playing from the kitchen, the game on the TV, the stories at the dinner table. Rick’s legacy lives on in the family he built, the meals he shared, the lessons he taught, and the many lives he touched.
Rick was predeceased by his grandparents Albert M. Organ, Rinko Organ, Frances Griswald, and Richard D. Van Zandt. He is survived by his mother, Margaret; father, Richard; sister, Stephanie (Jeremy); daughter, Madison; sons, Jake and Logan; niece, Lauren Heindel (Matt); great-nephew, Porter Heindel; Uncle Allen Organ (Terri), Aunt Kathie Untermoehlen (Rick), Aunt Nancy Hill (John), his ex-wife, Shelly, and cousins: Richie Young, Christine Young, Jason Hill, Jamie Hill, Ryan Organ, Cody Organ, and Chad Organ. 

Services will be held at Tulocay Cemetery on April 10, 2026, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Napa High Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund Condolences and words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

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