Rick Case, an automotive and marketing giant honored nationally and a major philanthropist has passed away. Case, CEO and founder of The Rick Case Automotive Group, was 77. “Known as a catalyst in the automotive industry but also with a passion for giving back to the community, he passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family after a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer,” the family announcement said. Among he and his wife Rita Case’s national honors were Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst & Young and All-Star Dealer Award by Automotive News. In 2019 Rita and Rick Case were presented the 2019 Honda President’s Award, the largest dealer in the country to ever receive the award 12 years in a row. “He was deeply committed to community improvement and was well known for giving his time, business experience and resources to improve community organizations. He created opportunities for his friends to give back to the community, kids to receive an education, families to own a home, and associates to provide for their families,” the statement said.