I'd like to share condolences on behalf of my parents and our whole family. We had a pleasure to meet Riku when Ojakangas clan visited Haapavesi, Finland in a family reunion. Such wonderful people all of you! Riku had interesting stories to share and I remember him making a vihta (a band of birch leaves to be used in a sauna) with my father Lauri. As I then felt and have learned afterwards, Richard was a clever, smart and warm-hearted person, a loving husband and a great father and grandfather. I wish to all of us left behind strength in times of sadness. 

Kaikk`on niin hiljaa mun ympärilläin,kaikk` on niin hellää ja hyvää.Kukat suuret mun aukeevat sydämessäinja tuoksuvat rauhaa syvää.

by Eino LeinoKindest regardsLauri Heiska & Heli Virmala-HeiskaEetu Heiska & Ronja KiviöElias & Sanna Heiska, Pihla, Hilla and ElmoAntti Heiska & Emmi-Lotta Hannula

My warmest condolences to Ojakangas family!

I first met Dick during the year when he had a  teaching period in Helsinki university geological department. Peach and Susanna were in Finland too and we got to know each others as whole families.

We have so many fun memories  spent together in Finland and Minnesota during past decades.

For example, my dad Kaapo Vesander and Esa Anttila joined Dick skiing the great Minnesota Birkerbiner contest  and it has been such a great memory to cherish and  applaud every once in a while ever since.

I consider myself very lucky and blessed being able to spend a foreign exchange year with Ojakangas family in 1985-1986. Such a wonderful time and so many great memories still told continously to people around me.

One extra special moment, which comes to my mind was a flight over Atlantic ocean. I was so happy to start my exchange year by flying from Helsinki to Duluth with Dick when he returned home after one of his many visits to Finland.

Dick somehow got us upgraded to business class in the jumbo jet. I was so excicated that I could not eat anything during the whole flight. Dick was wondering about that a bit, but he enjoyed happily everything served with the real silver cutlery. He ate and studied some rocks in different colors and tried to convince me to taste something. I still remember seeing those rocks on the airplane tray, never seen such sight before or after. A true professor studying and enjoying great food while flying in jumbo jet, that is how I like to remember him.

Feeling so thankful and sad, still keeping all the wonderful memories alive. Even though I'am far away, all the way cross the ocean, I'am with you, all the way, you dearest Ojakangas family!