If you ever spent a lazy Sunday afternoon flipped to the History Channel, you know the vibe. You’d see a grumpy, sharp-witted man in a black fedora sitting behind a desk, looking like he’d seen it all and wasn’t particularly impressed by any of it. That was Richard Benjamin Harrison. Most of us just called him "The Old Man." When news broke on June 25, 2018, that the patriarch of Pawn Stars had passed away at 77, it felt like losing a distant, slightly cranky uncle.
But for a long time, the details were a bit thin. Fans were left wondering about the Richard Benjamin Harrison cause of death, especially since he had been appearing less frequently on the show in the seasons leading up to his passing.
The Reality of the Richard Benjamin Harrison Cause of Death
He didn't go out in some dramatic, televised fashion. Life isn't a script. Honestly, it was a long, quiet battle. Rick Harrison, his son and business partner, eventually confirmed that his father died following a protracted struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
It’s a heavy diagnosis. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that basically attacks the nervous system. It affects movement, sure, but it also drains a person's energy and, eventually, their ability to engage with the world the way they used to. For a man who built an empire on being sharp and quick with a quip, it must have been a frustrating mountain to climb.
A Peaceful Ending in Las Vegas
The "Old Man" died in Las Vegas, surrounded by his family. There’s something a bit poetic about that. He moved to Vegas in the early '80s after a career in the Navy and some business ups and downs in North Carolina. He started Gold & Silver Pawn with just a few thousand dollars. By the time he passed, he was a global icon.
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Rick Harrison’s tribute on Instagram was pretty gut-wrenching. He called his dad a "hero" and a "teacher." You could tell the tough-guy persona they both played on TV was mostly for the cameras—or at least, it was built on a foundation of real respect.
Why Parkinson’s Stayed Out of the Spotlight
You might be wondering why we didn't see him struggling on the show. Well, Richard was an old-school guy. He was a Navy veteran—served for twenty years. That generation doesn't usually go around complaining about their health or making their "battles" a plot point for a reality show.
As the Parkinson's progressed, the production team simply adjusted.
- They filmed him less often.
- They kept his scenes seated.
- They focused more on Rick, Corey, and Chumlee.
It wasn’t a secret, per se, but it wasn't something the family wanted to parade in front of millions of viewers. They wanted to preserve his dignity. When you've spent decades being the "voice of absolute reason" (as the family called him), you don't want the world to see you at your most vulnerable.
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The Impact of 20 Years in the Navy
A lot of people don't realize that Richard’s discipline came from two decades in the United States Navy. He was a Petty Officer First Class. You can see that military background in everything he did—the way he dressed, his punctuality, and his zero-tolerance policy for "knucklehead" behavior (mostly directed at Chumlee).
Interestingly, some researchers have looked into the links between military service and Parkinson's, often citing environmental exposures. While we don't know if that played a role for Richard, it’s a conversation that happens often in veteran health circles.
A Complicated Legacy and a Modified Will
After he passed, things got a little messy, which is often what happens when a lot of money is involved. Most people focus on the Richard Benjamin Harrison cause of death, but the aftermath was just as revealing about the man he was.
He actually updated his will about a year before he died. In a move that surprised many fans, he explicitly left one of his sons, Christopher Harrison, out of the inheritance. The court documents were pretty blunt: "I would like to express my love and affection for Christopher Keith Harrison; however, I have intentionally and with full knowledge failed to provide for him and his issue in this Last Will and Testament."
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That's pure Old Man. Direct. Unfiltered. No fluff.
How the World Remembered Him
The History Channel aired a special titled "A Treasure Remembered" shortly after he died. It wasn't just a clip show. It was a look at how a guy who basically just wanted to run a pawn shop ended up becoming a symbol of the American Dream.
He wasn't a "polished" celebrity. He was a guy who liked old cars, hated overpaying for junk, and loved his family. The Richard Benjamin Harrison cause of death—Parkinson's—might have taken his physical strength, but it didn't touch the legacy of the business he built.
Final Thoughts and Insights
If you’re dealing with a family member facing a similar diagnosis, there are a few things to take away from how the Harrisons handled it:
- Privacy is okay. You don't owe the world a play-by-play of a loved one's decline.
- Legacy matters. Richard is remembered for his wit and his work, not his illness.
- Preparation is key. Having his affairs in order, including that controversial will update, ensured the business stayed in the family's hands without a massive legal meltdown.
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is still open in Las Vegas. If you go there today, you’ll still see tributes to him. He was a man of a different era, and while Parkinson's disease was the official cause of death, it's his life that people actually care about.
Take a moment to check your own estate planning or talk to your family about health history. It's not the fun stuff, but as the Old Man would say, it's the only way to make sure you don't get cheated in the end.