Carolyn, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Rich was a wonderful man, coach & friend to so many. He introduced me to wrestling as my freshman coach. I so loved connecting with you guys at all of our of our alumni reunions. The things I learned about wrestling & life from him have stayed with me through the years. My first match as a wrestler has stuck in my mind since. I was actually winning & had my opponent on his back in a cradle and Rich was incessantly yelling “watch your back, watch your back”. Being brand new, I didn’t realize what he meant, so I failed to heed his warning & the ref blew his whistle & slapped the mat. I jumped up and shook my opponent’s hand thinking I had just won my 1st match. I was shocked & confused when the ref raised my opponent’s hand rather than mine. I walked over to my corner, and Rich said “I was telling you to watch your back”. I was only pinned one more time in my wrestling career, as I never forgot that lesson.
I am not one that remembers my dreams often, but I had a vivid dream several days ago, where I walked up behind Rich at a festival and he turned around, and I said, “I just wanted to thank you for all the ways you helped me prepare for life” and he just humbly nodded his head and said “you’re welcome” - As I write this through streaming tears, always remember, Rich left an indelible, positive impression on so many. He was an extraordinary human & will be so missed!! My love & prayers are with you, family & all those many who love Rich.