Friday, September 19, 2014
Rick lived not just a full life...but a life in Full. My recollections are many yet pale to what Family and lifelong friends can recollect. I met Rick in 1973 while he was teaching Special Ed. at Hutchinson Elementary. Since then, I've witnessed his social consciousness, community involvement, and his advocacy for education. The pride and passion he had for his wife, daughters, foster children and grandchildren was clearly evident in all that he did. And ... , he did plenty!I participated in SOME of the myriad of activities that he so enthusiastically enjoyed. Hockey (from whence came RAPID), softball ,downhill skiing (claimed his favorite), cross country skiing ( told me 38 times last winter), sailing, snow shoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, cards and golf. The interest were even more vast. His interests and experiences were endless WHITE WATER RAFTING... sure... SKY DIVE....check...LUGE RUN....why not.....MACKINAW RACE.....many....TOURING THROUGHOUT the UNITED STATES....name a state he hadn't visited...LIVING AND WORKING IN ALASKA...canneries anyone.......WORLDWIDE TRAVEL.....all the time...BREW BEER.....WORLD SERIES....MAKE WINE...YOGA...MICHIGAN STATE GAMES..........COTTAGE on HURON...PLAYS...ART SHOWS...Just check yes to all of these and SO many that I'm forgetting. Rick didn't have a bucket, not even a tub, he had a ship container LIST! ALL of this while being the GREAT COMMUNICATOR of the eastside (doubt Rick would like the RR reference) . He loved to converse and more importantly loved to listen.A phone call to confirm a card game would turn into an hour on a variety of topics. A four hour ride north went unnoticed as interesting or humorous dialogue passed the time.People who met him for the first time always commented on the pleasure of their conversation. To say I will miss him doesn't seem enough. Future times without him will be less exciting, less fun, less FULL. Let his life be a constant reminder to all of us to pursue the experience, anticipate the event, enjoy the time and savor the memory. Live like Rick! Live life to the FULLEST.
