Brookfield Little League back around 1962 is where I first met Rick. But R-B, Western Illinois University, and beyond is where I got to know Rick. There's so many stories, I don't even know where to begin. What I will say though is that Rick was the most generous, loyal, and one of the funniest persons I have ever met in life. Nothing cracked me up more than seeing Rick burst after something funny had happened. No one's face got redder, with the possible exception of my Dad's face. I can still see Rick, who was one of my groomsmen, cracking up at my 2nd Wedding at Ascension Church in Oak Park. The Church ushers forgot to bring out enough chairs for the women attendants to use when it was time to sit during the frequent sitting parts of the ceremony. So you guessed it, a couple of the women had to sit cheek to cheek sharing a small folding chair in their bridesmaid dresses for all of the service. I thought Rick, along with Bob Olson were going to lose it, as they struggeled to stay in their seats, practically falling over, holding their laughter in.  And Rick loved his sports and teams. Not only did Rick love watching sports and attending the games. Rick was very good at playing sports, especially Baseball and Football, and even Golf. The East side kicked our butts consistantly most of the time in our old East-West Brookfield Turkey Bowl Football Classic for years. And Rick was a major part in administering those whoppings. Rick played a major role in being part of the 1965-66 R-B Sopomore Wrestling Squad that won Conference that year. Quite an accomplishment, being that R-B was the smallest school in the old West Suburban Conference, back in the day. Rick was a wonderful Father to his 4 children. They all adored him. I witnessed this up close with his oldest daughter Jennefer and his son Sean, when we spent 4 days together in New York City in 1999. We were all there to attend the World Series. But when you are with Rick, you are going to do a lot more than just watch Baseball !!! We travelled all over the Bronx and Manhattan in 4 days. What a wonderful trip it was. And what made this trip such a joy, was that Rick who was dying of ALS, didn't let that dreaded disease stop him from having a good time and showing New York City to his kids and myself. Rick would continue to battle with ALS for another 16 months or so after the NYC trip. I saw him often over those last months. He never gave up the battle and never lost his sense of humor, or felt that he had been short changed in life. Rick was a true inspiration for all of us !!!   I love you Rick.