Let's celebrate today the 79th anniversary of Richard's birth and remember the gift of love, laughter, friendship and support he gave to his family and many friends. His indefatigable humor and positive outlook lifted each spirit he touched, bringing a ray of sunshine, hope and promise to all. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this typical pose of a fun loving Richard says it all and reminds us of his joy we were so lucky to have in our lives. 

(an unauthorized autobiographical poem :) by his friend Dick Thielen

MY NAME IS RICHARD, TO MY FAMILY THAT IS

OTHERWISE IT'S BEEN DICK TO FRIENDS AND IN THE BIZ

ALTHOUGH I AM GONE, I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

I SERVED IN THE MARINES, INTO A MAN I WAS MADE

THEN WENT TO BENTLEY TO BE EDUCATED IN A TRADE

MY FIRST JOB AT PRICE WATERHOUSE BEGAN A CAREER IN ACCOUNTING

I FINISHED WITH MY OWN FIRM, CONFIDENT AND UNDOUBTING

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

ACTIVE RELIGIOUS PRACTICE WAS NEVER A PERSONAL NEED

HOWEVER I RESPECTED CHOICES OF INDIVIDUAL CREED

MY PHILOSOPHY TOWARDS LIFE WAS NOT TO BE CRUEL

BUT LIVE AS I DID FOLLOWING THE GOLDEN RULE

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

I MARRIED LORETTA, WHAT A TIME IT WOULD BE

SHE KEPT ME IN LINE AND TOOK GOOD CARE OF ME

OUR CHILDREN GARY, DANA AND LISA, THE LOVES OF MY LIFE

THESE PRECIOUS GIFTS SHARED BY MY LOVING WIFE

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

OUR LIVES WERE ENRICHED AS OUR FAMILY GREW

LISA FOUND HER ED, GARY FOUND HIS ZAFRIEN TOO

TOGETHER THEY GAVE US OUR FIVE GREATEST JOYS

THREE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS AND TWO HANDSOME BOYS

ALIANNA, JESSICA AND DANIELLE, TRUE GIRLS IN EVERY WAY

MICHAEL AND GAVIN, ACTIVE BOYS IN DEED AND PLAY

NANA AND PA-PA THEY CALL US WITH GLEE

HOW I ADORED HOLDING THEM ON MY KNEE

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

THE REST OF MY FAMILY, VERY CLOSE WERE WE

BROTHER BUDDY, HIS ROSE, AND PHILLIS, DEAR SISTER TO ME

THERE IS TONY, HER FRED, MARY AND HER JIM TOO

LORETTA'S TWO SISTERS WITH WHOM WE HAD MUCH TO DO

THERE ARE NIECES AND NEPHEWS, TOO MANY TO NAME HERE

I LOVED THEM ALL AND ENJOYED HAVING THEM NEAR

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

NEIGHBORS AND CLOSE FRIENDS WERE IMPORTANT TO ME

THE VISCOS, THE FRECHETTES AND THE THIELENS ARE THREE

OTHER ACQUAINTANCES WERE MANY, CHERISHED ALL ALONG

INCLUDING CLIENTS AND ASSOCIATES WHOSE FRIENDSHIPS NEVER WENT WRONG

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

MY DEMEANOR WAS LAID BACK, NEVER IN A HURRY

MY MOTTO IN LIFE, "WHAT, ME WORRY"?

I WAS HAPPY WITH MYSELF AND CONTENT TO BE ME

MY GLASS WAS HALF-FULL, NEVER HALF-EMPTY

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

SPORTS WAS MY PASSION, I LOVED GAMES ON TV

I PLAYED GOLF FOR FUN, BUT NEVER BROKE EIGHTY

THE SOX CAME CLOSE TO WINNING IN '03

BUT THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO DENIED THE WORLD SERIES TO ME

(EVEN WITH THAT) I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

MY BOUNTY WAS PLENTIFUL, ENRICHED FROM THE START

NOT WITH MATERIAL TREASURES, BUT FULLNESS OF HEART

I HAD HAPPINESS AND FAMILY AND CONTENTMENT GALORE

NOW TELL ME OUT THERE, WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE?

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE

I ENJOYED A HAPPY LIFE, BUT IT WAS DESTINED TO END

THAT IS THE RESULT, WHICH ALL HUMANS TRY TO FEND

AS I BID FAREWELL TO ALL OF YOU, I HAVE BUT ONE WISH THIS DAY

THAT WHEN YOUR LIFE ENDS, YOU CAN ALSO SAY

I LIVED A GOOD LIFE