Uncle Rich, you had a huge impact in my life and because of a single conversation, you changed the course of my life.  I had ran away from home and came back to colorado.  After a short stay with Shirley, you took me in. After a week or two of lounging on your couch, you had a conversation with me.  Basically you told me that I was either going to get a job or go back to school and lectured me on the importance of an education.  You knew full well that NOBODY would hire a 15 year old drop out.  After a week looking for a job with no success I told you I wanted to go back to school.  Within the week you, Marilyn and Bob started the process of enrolling me in school andmoving me into grandma's house. 
I didn't stay in Colorado nor did I stay in school.  I really had no idea how much that conversation effected my way of thinking.  After I had my first child, I remembered what you said to me.  I went to the local community college enrolled in adult high school EARNED my HS Diploma, then I took it a step further and enrolled in communtiy college for social work--graduated with high honors!  I took it a step further and enrolled at UNC Charlotte and earned my BA in psychology, graduating cum laude.  I still continue to learn more every day.  Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of valuing education.  I love you and will miss you even though we weren't close.  And I'm glad I got to talk to you one last time with one last lesson, which by the way, was a success ;)
 

Uncle Rich I am very thankful for the time I had with you. You helped shape my life from an early age. You took a young punk like me, gave me a chance, showed me the value of hard work. Every time we would get together you kept me laughing. You always showed me how to look at things from a different point of view, but most of all you are just plain ass cool.