Thursday, June 20, 2024
My deepest condolences to everyone. I met Rich in 1989 (pre-internet, pre-smart phones) when I arrived at Cornell for grad school. We became fast friends and one of the things that impressed me was how he always took the time to chat with nearly everyone who crossed his paths on a given day; waitstaff, grocery clerks, professors, complete strangers... I realized quickly that I’d better schedule extra time for these conversations because the simple act of stopping for gas meant Rich’s asking the person at the pump for the latest score on “the game” (whatever game). That was his on-ramp. That was his entry to inquire how that person’s afternoon was going, find one common thing to chat about and listen, listen, listen. By the time the tank was full, goodbyes were being exchanged in a way that revealed the connection that could have been lost but wasn’t. And heaven help us should we encounter that same person a couple months later. Rich would pick up conversation right where it had left off, astonishing the recipient which in turn, always gave Rich the chance to break out into that wide, infectious smile. He was a true friend with a deep commitment to his faith, his profession, his community and to his family. We’ve lost a gem and how fortunate I feel to have known him.
