July 19th, 2010 
DougyB7 
The Stiffpole family and the world of music has been dealt a shitty hand. The founder and driving force of Stiffpole Records, Big Stiff, unexpectedly passed away Sunday evening. There is no good way to make this type ofannouncement and it would be a disservice to Big Stiff to turn it into some big pompous, bloated passage, so I won’t. The truth is simple. Stiff was a great friend, a great person and influenced many people and musicians both past and present. He was outspoken, sarcastic, opinionated, cranky at times but had a very big heart. Stiff flew the Punk Rock flag proudly and supported the local music scene for a very long time. Having taken a break from running Stiffpole Records for so many years it was very exciting to see the label off and running again and Stiff was charged and ready to get back in the ring. Although he won’t be with us in body, he will always be with us in spirit and Stiffpole Records will carry on in his name. It’s funny, reading this back I can hear Stiff with a “Jesus Christ” or making some comment about how ridiculous and unnecessary it is to talk about him like this. But that is exactly what you do when you lose someone who meant that much to so many. We will always remember you Stiff and everything we do for the label moving forward is in honor of you. The Stiffpole family will miss you.
Posted in 
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Charles Furment, Geoff Useless. Geoff Useless said: Man,sad. I have a ton of stiff records
“@lividrecords: Stiff (founder of @stiffpolerecord ) has died. RIP Stiff. http://bit.ly/dk9Tv2” [...]
Last saw Stiff and Dreb at the New York Dolls show at the State. He will be remembered and missed. See everyone at the Emerald 5pm Saturday.
Grab
I remember playing golf with him (barely),driving to the liquor store for more Natty Light and Jager, sitting at the picnic table ranting and raving about something and how XM radio sucks since the punk rock station is gone…I think it sucks our Stiff is gone.
Wow, I’ve not seen Dick Stiff and Deb since we all hung out in the old house in Penny less Park, back in the early 80′s along with Stuck and J 2000. Sorry to hear the news. Rick was always the center of attention and funny as hell. Remember somewhat anyway all the parties and going to see the local and national punk bands back in the day and the Sunday grilling with plenty of beers.
He always love the old A.B. Dick building along 275 coming into Tampa from Saint Pete. I can still hear him say, “A. B. Dick, a big dick” and then laughing his ass off.
You’ll be missed, but not forgotten…