At ADDvantage Casket Company, we believe in taking leaps—both in business and life. And if there’s one person who embodies that fearless mindset, it’s our newest team member, Rick. With nearly 400 parachute jumps under his belt, Rick quite literally jumps right into everything he does.
His background in skydiving has instilled in him a level of discipline, precision, and mental fortitude that seamlessly translates into his role on our team. Just as every parachute jump requires meticulous preparation and trust in the process, Rick brings that same level of care and attention to our high-level customer service.
“Rick’s dedication and drive have been evident from day one,” said Bill Forsberg, Owner of ADDvantage Casket Company. “His commitment to our strong customer service culture, along with his willingness to embrace new challenges, makes him a valuable asset to our team.”
But taking daring leaps isn’t just something Rick is known for—Bill himself has his own history of defying gravity.
A Leap of Faith: Bill’s Bungee Jumping Legacy
In 1992, as The Great Canadian Bungee Corporation (GCB) launched its first location at “The Rock” in Quebec, Canada, Bill happened to be passing through the area with his family. A sign advertising the new extreme sport caught the attention of his two young children, who eagerly encouraged him to take the plunge. With their excitement fueling his courage—and his wife Susan’s cautious support—Bill became part of history as the first funeral director in Saskatchewan, Canada to bungee jump.
“I wanted to try something new,” said Bill. “There weren’t any where we lived. We were driving along and the kids said “Come on Dad! Let’s see what it is! You can do it! So, of course I had to do it.”
For context, commercial bungee jumping had only been introduced to the public in New Zealand in 1988, making its way to Canada just a few years later. GCB was the first bungee operation in North America, and Bill’s jump helped mark the beginning of what is now a world-renowned adventure destination. Today, GCB has expanded into stunt work, engineering, training, and equipment manufacturing. Still, back then, it was a bold new venture—one that required the same fearlessness Bill has carried throughout his career.
“It was unlike anything I had ever done before, and I decided once was enough for me,” commented Bill. “But I was very happy I did it. I committed to it, believed in myself to do it, counted down from five and stepped off the ledge.”
More than just a thrilling moment, that bungee jump symbolized his courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to embracing challenges—qualities that define him as a businessman, a leader in the funeral industry, and, most importantly, a father.
Connecting the Dots: Taking Leaps, in the Air and Business
Both Rick’s parachuting experience and Bill’s bungee jump story serve as powerful metaphors for the work we do at ADDvantage Casket Company. Whether it’s ensuring a safe and successful landing from thousands of feet in the air or providing compassionate, high-quality service to families in their most difficult moments, preparation, trust, and a fearless commitment to excellence are key.
Here’s to the leaps we take, both in the sky and in the world of business.
For more information about GCB, check out its website.