My heartfelt sympathy as you grieve Richard's passing. May the peace of God comfort you knowing he is at home with the Lord.

I was a classmate of Richard. I remember in 8th grade we used to write notes to each other. I saved so much from my school years including those notes. I'm sharing a picture of one of his notes he wrote during History class.  

I also remember he had a pet white rat. He brought it to my house to give it to me. My mom wouldn't let me keep it. So Richard and I took it to a field and left it loose. When Richard went home his Mom made him go back to that field and try to find it because she said it wouldn't survive on it's own. Richard did look for it but couldn't find it. I think that rat was smart enough though and did survive.

I hadn't seen Richard since high school.  The words written about him in his obituary touched my heart.

I am sorry for your loss!  "Absent from the body, present with the Lord."

My memories go back to Park Hills Elementary School with Richard being a playground buddy with Andy, Gary, Steve, and myself, then off to Southwestern High School as a fellow clarinet player in the band.