In 1991 I was 10 years old and I was studying guitar at a music store in South Florida. One day my teacher didn't show, but this huge guy hanging in the store said he'd give me a lesson. He showed me some stuff on the guitar, but then picked up his bass and blew my mind. The next week I was a bass player. 
Rich introduced me to the music of Flea, Les Claypool, and Jaco Pastorius. He bacame a friend of the family and even took care of our house and pets when we went on vacation (my favorite story is still when we came home from one vacation and he had brought Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor over to our house. Manson stood on my bed and signed "Each night as you sleep, I kill the world" on the poster Rich gave me). He even invited me, my sister, mom, and dad to a studio session for Killing Silence. He was the coolest guy I knew. Rich's pink Peavey bass was my A-rig for a long time. He was a friend.
He took off to pursue music on the road, but I never forgot him. I continued with music and played with some of the best musicians in the world. In 2005 I earned a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University. We lost touch, but last night I had a dream about him. I walked into the music store in Florida and he was there, showing us how his band was being played on the radio. Today I looked him up, nervous about telling him how my mom died this year (they were very close), but he was already gone. I'm sorry I missed you, Rich. Your soul is present in every note I play.

I will love you forever and ever, I will morn your death till I die, and the way we parted will be with me. I am so gratefull for Gena, I know that she gave you unconditional love. And I know how much you loved her so the past 10 years you have had a good life. Rest in peace my son you will be forever loved.
Your Mom