Rick Deutsch
Author, Speaker, Historian
An avid outdoor adventurer, Rick Deutsch has explored the seven continents from Antarctica to Egypt. His talks present the geology, history, and culture of prominent “bucket list” places. An avid histophile, he covers popular destinations, such as Venice, Barcelona and Galapagos, but also gives presentations on unusual but fascinating topics to round out his offerings. Rarely touched by other special interest speakers are his lectures on UFO’s, The Space Age, and the History of the World.
Retired from a successful career as a Silicon Valley marketing executive, Rick embarked on a path of adventure writing and motivational speaking.
As a member of the National Speakers Association, he gives “image-based” presentations to organizations, museums, associations, and companies, while his daily blogs and social media bring his readers along on vicarious journeys to adventure spots throughout the world.
Rick holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a Marketing MBA from Santa Clara University. An Air Force officer during the Vietnam and Cold War eras, he directed flight-line activity of the B-52 bomber. He later served four years as Operations Director on the top-secret reconnaissance satellite program known as HEXAGON – only declassified in 2011. He was awarded a Commendation Medal for support of this program.
He’s been an in-demand cruise ship lecturer for over 10 years, with engagements on Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and others.
Presentations
Geography & History
African Photo Safari – Tanzania Nature Expedition
Alaska – The Last Frontier
Alcatraz – “The Rock:” The Ultimate Prison
Ancient Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs
Antarctica – The bottom of the planet
Barcelona – Art Deco Center of Europe
Bermuda – More than Sunny Beaches
Black Hills of Dakota – Rushmore, Bison and Gold
Black Experience – Centuries of discrimination
California – The Golden State
Canary Islands – They’re not named for the bird!
Carmel & Monterey – Pure bliss
Costa Rica – The Enchanted Land
Cuba – So near yet decades away
Death Valley – The Hottest Place on Earth
England – Colonial Empire
Florida – Rockets, ‘Gators and a Mouse
Galapagos – Garden of Eden?
Grand Canyon – A Big Hole in the Ground
Great Wall of China –Engineering & Social Marvel
Hawaii – The Land of Aloha
Ireland – The Green Island
Japan & Mt. Fuji – The Land of the Rising Sun
Lesser Antilles – Pearls of the Caribbean
Los Angeles – More than Hollywood
Machu Picchu – The Inca Empire
Mexican Riviera – Sun, Surf and Marlin
Napa Valley – Wine Country
National Parks of Utah – Nature at its finest
New Zealand & Australia – Down – “Get a horse”
New York City – The Big Apple
Panama Canal – Men Move Mountains
Roman Empire – Monarchy, Republic, Empire
San Francisco – Baghdad by the Bay
Spanish Venture West – Thirst for Gold
Tahiti – Polynesian Paradise
Thailand – The Free Land
Venice – “The most beautiful city built by man.”
Yellowstone – The First National Park
Yosemite – Crown Jewel of the National Park Service
Enrichment
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Atlantis – The lost continent
The Automobile – “Get a horse”
American Cowboy – Symbol of America
American Veteran – Duty, Honor, Country
Aviation – From Kites to the Space Shuttle
The Bermuda Triangle – Is it real?
The Black Experience – Centuries of discrimination
Charles Darwin – The Evolutionist
The Chinese Experience – Part 1: China History
The Chinese Experience – Part 2: Chinese in America
Cold War – Mutually Assured Destruction
Elon Musk – Modern Day Edison
Exercise with Scenery – Bicycling
Exercise with Scenery – Hiking
Exercise with Scenery – Scuba Diving
Fitness for seniors – Exactly what does it mean to be “fit?”
Genghis Khan – Ruthless Conqueror of most of the world
Gold Rush – The transformative event of California
Hike Yosemite’s Half Dome in a Day: Anyone can do it.
History of the World from the Big Bang to Humans
Howard Hughes & his Spruce Goose – The world’s largest plane
Iditarod – “The Last Great Race on Earth.”
Legend of Santa Claus – Loved by all
Nordic Walking – Fitness is Only a Step Away
Napoleon Bonaparte – General, Dictator, Emperor
Phantom of the Opera – Beauty is Skin Deep
Pirates – Caribbean Scoundrels
Renaissance – The Rebirth of Europe
Rock & Roll – A thumbnail history
Route 66 – America’s Highway
Roman Empire – Spanning the Continent
Rosie the Riveter – The Home Front
Space Age – The Final Frontier
Someday Never Comes – Discover Your Passion
Spanish Venture West – Thirst for Gold
Spies in the Skies – Watching over Freedom
Titanic – The complete the story
Travel for Free – Be a Cruise Ship Lecturer
Undersea Kingdom – Mystery and Beauty
UFO’s – Has earth been visited by intelligent life?
World War 1 – The Great War
