Ric Supple- In Memoriam

Ric Supple, Valley Business Leader, local Philanthropist and Founder of the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Dies at 95.

Ric Supple, who along with his wife, Rozene Supple, dominated the local business and philanthropic scene in the Coachella Valley for over fifty years has died after a short illness. He was ninety five. Supple, who was originally from the Bay Area, moved to Palm Springs full-time in the early 1970s shortly after he and Rozene were married. The two had attended Stanford together in the 1940s, graduated, married (other people) and drifted apart. They reconnected at a Stanford reunion some twenty years later, both having been widowed by their first spouses. 

 
Once in Palm Springs, the Supples quickly became involved in the local business community as owner/operators of RR Radio Corporation, which was comprised of two FM stations and three AM stations. They also bought and refurbished the historic Camelot Theatres building, and turned it into a three-screen complex with a full bar and restaurant.
 
Over the years, the Supples also became involved in a number of charitable causes. Their gift to Desert Regional Hospital made possible the G.A. Richards Trauma Center (in honor of Rozene’s late father) and Rozene’s bequest to the Palm Springs Unified School for the new Richards Center for the Arts (also named for Rozene’s father) are just two examples. The Supples were also among the founders of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

In 2007, the Supples founded the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a local non-profit dedicated to culture and the arts, broadly defined. The organization was designed to be a reflection of their legacy and commitment to arts and culture. Ten years later, in 2017, they gifted the historic Camelot Theatres building to the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Ric and Rozene began divesting themselves of many business interests in recent years, but have continued to be active, and serve on the Board of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Ironically, just last month, they had made the decision to move to an emeritus status, after having nominating daughter Debbie Supple Miller to the Board to represent the family.

“Ric and Rozene’s accomplishments in business and in philanthropy have made the Coachella Valley a better place to live.” said Rick Seeley, Palm Springs Cultural Center Board President. “The Board and Staff of the Palm Springs Cultural Center are honored to continue his and Rozene’s legacy and vision in the years to come. We send out our love and support to his family as we celebrate a life well lived.”