The following is a paraphrase of information that was shared by a friend:
Ten years ago Rich moved to Florida. Met a girl who he married in 2003. they
started a landscaping business together....he was, according to Sherry (his sister), Happy, working hard, and in love. They didn't have children.
On Dec. 2 of 2005, he was working a site---using a bobcat---got out of the bobcat to adjust something on the ground, and a tree fell out of the bucket. His wife, who worked with him, was there and desperately tried to move the tree, but to no avail.
I am trying to grasp the whole thing still. I was not in touch with Rich after college and can only remember him as a great, witty, fun and caring person. Seeing his name listed in the In Memoriam section of the alumni magazine made me shudder and hope there was a mistake. I can list many times when he said or did things that made me happy that I knew him and that he was my friend. Sadly, I did not keep in touch with Rich, or some others who were special in some way. I will always remember him as a young man with laughing eyes and an infectious smile. I think we can all remember that smile. He seemed to be a person that had it all together.
At any rate, he did not suffer long, never grew old, and was with his loved one when his spirit passed. I hope he is in peace, and may God grant me such an exit. Though I have not spoken with Rich in many years, my world feels smaller now and I hope that I told him that I valued him as a friend. I can remember the first time we met, but cannot remember ever saying goodbye...
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2 comments:
Regis,
Thank you for efforts in gathering these very sad details and for sharing them with us. The personal thoughts from Rich's friend and from you I think frame a fitting memory of a brother lost that we all can keep with us. HFF indeed!
Win
This posted on behalf of John Fischer -
I am deeply saddened to hear of Rich Will's passing.
As Regis stated far more eloquently, I too had not
seen Rich in many years. But there was a time when we
were pretty close, and I somehow feel compelled to
share a few of my thoughts.
I guess there are some hard truths to face as we all
get older - that inevitably our numbers will begin to
dwindle.
If any of you know how to contact Rich's wife and any
surviving members of his family still in the
Philadelphia area, please take a moment to post it
here or contact me directly at jlfish51@yahoo.com.
As Regis said, despite this tragic loss, it sounds
like Rich did not have to suffer for too long.
And perhaps we can all take some comfort in that.
Be good fellas. I look forward to returning to this
online post again soon - under happier circumstances.
JFish
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