Memories of Richard Ethan Rodgers

In memory of

Richard Ethan Rodgers

Portland, OR, USA

June 2, 1990 - December 9, 2020

Jun 2, 1990 - Dec 9, 2020

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Joshua Moore

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Ethan (Fox) Archuleta

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Lamar Hail

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Zak Blaise

Richard introduced me to Sigur Ros, this album dropped right as we were emerging into the adult world and I remember sitting in his basement room off overland trail and listening to this track together. Gave me goosebumps then, still does.

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Dorian Shaner

JJ Rodgers

Lamar Hail

Zak Blaise

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JJ Rodgers

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Zak Blaise

2005, From Colorado to Oregon and many places between

So much of my identity is based around the conversations Richard and I would have in our childhood houses growing up in the new millennium.
I have more stories than I can remember (and luckily get to discover anew when a song or movie or philosophy jogs my memory) as he was someone I found myself deeply attracted to in a spiritual sense. I am well aware that due to the nature of many of these experiences they are best left in memory and as such I have struggled with what to say. I have been very hesitant to say much of anything because the pain of his loss is great and I would be horrified to be a contributor to that pain through my own reconciliation with reality.
What I do have to share is this; Richard was a shining beacon of acceptance to many and an usurper of the status quo for status quos sake. He was a fierce protector of animals and the disenfranchised. Richard challenged me to think beyond what is spoon fed to you by those who would control you and helped give me the courage to figure out who I wanted to be and WHY. More times than I can count Richard gave me a place to be, a friend to bounce ideas off, just really good times together (the best music, video games, books, and movies often came from his suggestion) and always direct honesty.
I could go on for hours here but in an effort to respect the memorial and not make it about me I'll end my remembrance with this... my deepest condolences to family and friends, I'm here for any and all of you in whatever capacity you'll have me, for it would bring me immense joy to be able to return even a shred of the support and acceptance I received from Richard Ethan Rodgers.

With love,
The CEO of hyper violence
(a moniker I will forever cherish as it was given to me by Richard after he witnessed my style of DnD playing)
Zak

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Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

Your beautiful memories have touched us very deeply Zak, we certainly remember those years well and are glad... Read more Your beautiful memories have touched us very deeply Zak, we certainly remember those years well and are glad the two of you were... Read more Your beautiful memories have touched us very deeply... Read more

Rebecca Dodge

I knew Richard best when I was in high school, a decade ago. He was the incredibly alluring friend of a friend, whose house I sometimes got to visit right by old town. Even his basement apartment exuded a peaceful energy. I remember he showed me the movie “The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down” on his projector, we used to climb onto the rooftop at night and look at the stars. His black Volkswagen Beetle got the mirror broken off it one night. He used to do ribbon dancing and slack lining in city park. Richard was far too intelligent, sweet, handsome, and bright for this world. I hope he is peaceful, but we have absolutely lost a light in our hearts. I’m so sad to hear this news, and I truly hope his family and friends are finding a way to be okay. Sending love.

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

Thank you for sharing such fun & wonderful times Rebecca. Those formative years really tend to stick with... Read more Thank you for sharing such fun & wonderful times Rebecca. Those formative years really tend to stick with us, and I'm grateful... Read more Thank you for sharing such fun & wonderful times Rebecca.... Read more

Noah Connolly

Shared a heart

JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Noah Connolly

2020, Chicago, IL, USA

I knew Richard through social media. He and I occasionally face-timed and texted. He was always incredibly sweet, caring, and deep. Everything he said, he meant. He was an advocate for the underdog. He was a teacher for the yearning. He was a friend for the lonely. I will and do miss him even though I never got the privilege to meet him in real life. May you rest in peace prince Zuko.

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

Thank you so much Noah for the very kind memory you have shared honoring Richard's memory. He did indeed ... Read more Thank you so much Noah for the very kind memory you have shared honoring Richard's memory. He did indeed possess all of the fine... Read more Thank you so much Noah for the very kind memory you... Read more

Dorian Shaner

Something I've come back to a lot recently.. He gave me my first tattoo. (I must warn anyone inside or knowledgeable of the body modification or medical industries, that I know better now.) I asked the often unwashed, dumpster diving anarchist to tattoo me with india ink in my basement. Hand poked with a questionably sterile liner needle, he left me with three dots along the inside of my left ankle. He gave them to me during a time of profound loss, when I felt everything needed to be filled with deep and eternal meaning, or may as well have none. In the years since I've realized how much meaning those dots may actually hold, at least for me. Three simple dots, an elipsis, the symbol for more to come. While not a bad interpretation, if you asked and often if you hadn't, I would have recited the meaning I had decided to give this tattoo: "There is always 3. Not 1, because we are not alone, and not just 2 because every relationship we have is as important as the two things that make it, therefore 3." I find myself often needing the reminder that we're not alone often these days, and have him to thank for one I can look at wherever I find myself. I am glad to have had known Richard, and am lucky to have such a reminder of him.

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Cherish Shaner

Wesley Ludlow

Dorian Shaner

Grethe Rundquist

JJ Rodgers

Mari Sharpe

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

I was so moved and brought to tears Dorian. I'm sending my love and positive vibrations your way, to both... Read more I was so moved and brought to tears Dorian. I'm sending my love and positive vibrations your way, to both you and your wife! Your... Read more I was so moved and brought to tears Dorian. I'm sending... Read more

Dorian Shaner

JJ I can certainly imagine his response to you just now learning about the tattoo, and indeed it was a lifetime... Read more JJ I can certainly imagine his response to you just now learning about the tattoo, and indeed it was a lifetime ago. It will be... Read more JJ I can certainly imagine his response to you just... Read more

JJ Rodgers

❤ ❤ ❤

Aly Ammar

Having lived with Richard for a couple of months during the summer I have a hard time believing he is actually gone. During some of the hardest times of isolation and social distancing he was one of the only people I could interact and hang out with and those memories would forever live in my head. We shared many interests, having met through our shared interest in D&D and then bonding over love for archery, nature and so many other things. You will be missed, my man.

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

You were such a good friend to Richard, Aly. I am glad we were able to connect with one another, and Wes ... Read more You were such a good friend to Richard, Aly. I am glad we were able to connect with one another, and Wes & I wish you all good... Read more You were such a good friend to Richard, Aly. I am glad... Read more

Blake Vogel

I always enjoyed Richard's presence. He was sharp, empathetic, and (frequently) hilarious. All those nights at Algiers chatting film, philosophy, and glow sticks--I'll never forget them.

My love and condolences to Leanne, Joshie, and the rest of his family. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

Blake, I am so pleased you have these great memories of Richard! I love that you found him hilarious, as ... Read more Blake, I am so pleased you have these great memories of Richard! I love that you found him hilarious, as he did have such a wonderful... Read more Blake, I am so pleased you have these great memories... Read more

Grethe Rundquist

I will forever count myself blessed to have shared an adolescence and emerging adulthood with Richard. In my freshman year at CSU we both lived downtown near the library and he was the best neighbor I ever had. I’ll never forget running barefoot to his house several times in the middle of the night when I just couldn’t stand being in my own space. He would welcome me, and really anyone, without question. His warm presence was instantly grounding. He was absolutely magnetic, always surrounded by the most interesting, wild, beautiful people I have known. I loved to hear him talk about literally anything and I love the sound of his voice. I wish I could have held some of that pain for you as I know you would have done for me, Richard. I think of you every time I reach for a comic book on my shelf.

Sending so much love to your family. I am so sorry for this loss and ever so grateful for the time I was granted with your son, brother, and friend.

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

Thank you Grethe for sharing the gratefulness in your heart related to your experiences with Richard, and... Read more Thank you Grethe for sharing the gratefulness in your heart related to your experiences with Richard, and getting down to the ... Read more Thank you Grethe for sharing the gratefulness in your... Read more

Corinne Kunze

So many things remind me of him. I was just listening to some music today and remembered this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch…

I had these Aphex Twin burned CDs he made me with ambient works I and II on it. We drove around and blasted this so many times that the speakers on that car never fully recovered.

Miss him

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Stephanie Lacy

JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

I close my eyes and see so clearly, a picture of the two of you constantly together Corinne. I'm so grateful... Read more I close my eyes and see so clearly, a picture of the two of you constantly together Corinne. I'm so grateful he was fortunate ... Read more I close my eyes and see so clearly, a picture of the... Read more

JJ Rodgers

Richard & Liv

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Becky Noad

Grethe Rundquist

Mari Sharpe

I recall many days spent with this one on repeat.
https://youtu.be/Po541cTQZIo

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

One morning at the breakfast table, I was staring at Richard while he ate... you guessed it... cereal. I carefully asked him about the rapid evolution of his hair & beard @15 years old. His reply? "Mommy, relax. I'm not rebelling against you & Dad, or some other authoritarian entity if that's what you're thinking. I'm simply ignoring the teenage angst that comes from taking a shower or looking in the mirror." That was the moment I knew my familiar arsenal of parenting strategies would fail me against a budding intellectual like Richard. I was toast, and all I could do was laugh & laugh; with Richard joining in. That was a good morning!

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Wesley Ludlow

Mari Sharpe

Corinne Kunze

JJ Rodgers

Becky Noad

Grethe Rundquist

Kris Cammarata Lee

JJ Rodgers

Fab 4 with Grandma Anne

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Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

Mari Sharpe

Becky Noad

JJ Rodgers

Richard with cousin Langston & Josh

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Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

Mari Sharpe

Becky Noad

JJ Rodgers

Big sister Jen letting Richard steer

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Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

Mari Sharpe

Jennifer Nelson

Becky Noad

Stephanie Lacy

These will be your soundtracks in my mind for eternity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch…

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JJ Rodgers

Wesley Ludlow

Mari Sharpe

Comments:

JJ Rodgers

And now ours as well, thank you Stephanie!! And now ours as well, thank you Stephanie!! And now ours as well, thank you Stephanie!!

JJ Rodgers

Our lovey dove... food, a good hat & high tops make for pure joy!

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Becky Noad

Wesley Ludlow

JJ Rodgers

Mari Sharpe

Kris Cammarata Lee

Comments:

Becky Noad

Oh my goodness! That sweet smile melts my heart!!! Oh my goodness! That sweet smile melts my heart!!! Oh my goodness! That sweet smile melts my heart!!!