His mother died giving birth to his one year younger sister (Hope you're doing well, Beth). His step mother never cared for Richard (always Richard or Rich, never Dick), and at least mentally, if not physically abused him. Like many abused kids he acquired a self-destructive distrust of authority figures, which perpetually got him into trouble.
I remember my wish or legacy to Rich in the final Prospector was for a gag for Rich. I realize now his non-stop talk was his trying to communicate/escape his feelings. Sorry Rich, I was too dumb to understand.
There were some great times. One time we were sitting around is house on Halloween, drinking beers and giving out candy. After nightfall, a few high schoolers rang the bell, in non-costumes (we're bums), and we gave them each a beer instead of candy (Thanks man!).
Richard had a waterbed mattress, no frame, just a bladder. We jumped and fought on that thing and it never broke (but it did swell). One night we shot M-80s out of a slingshot, 100 yards on to an empty field (not recommended) and yes it was Richard who poured gas all across Lincoln street, set a six foot blaze, and had the cops chase him for blocks (we were young and could vault fences).
At Paul Sebby's wedding in MN, Richard drove to the rehearsal dinner, as it might rain, while most of us walked. Rich squealed by yelling "Positraction!" and one of the group mistakenly said "bet that doesn't work in reverse" (Narrator: Never say can't to Rich). Sure enough Rich comes flying backwards and slams on the brakes. Good thing there were enough of us to push him out of the ditch.
Ironically, for someone who defied authority, Rich joined the Army and did pretty well. Only busted a couple times for smoking pot, he had this talent for fixing things, even if he didn't know exactly how they worked. One time I got a call from him, back in the days when you knew a long distance call by the hiss. I asked when he got into town as this was not a long distance call. He said, "Oh I'm still in Germany, I was troubleshooting the nuclear defense network phone system and I decided to give you a call." It was a very short conversation.
Richard was left a trust by his father, to be distributed when he and his sister turned 25. When he was finally able to access the money, it turned out that Mount Prospect bank had churned his account for about 8 years, buying and selling stocks over and over, so they returned the same amount put in, where if they had just put in an index fund, they would have doubles the money. Such was Richard's lot.
Richard struggled with health issues after leaving the Army, and we lost touch. We reconnected around the 40th reunion, but I never made the effort to see him. I regret not being a better friend Richard, you deserved better.
Oh Robert Quinn, you were more than a friend to him, you were comrades in arms and brothers from another mother. Your tribute to him was from your heart and soul and couldn't have been said better.
Robert Quinn
Richard deserved better...
His mother died giving birth to his one year younger sister (Hope you're doing well, Beth). His step mother never cared for Richard (always Richard or Rich, never Dick), and at least mentally, if not physically abused him. Like many abused kids he acquired a self-destructive distrust of authority figures, which perpetually got him into trouble.
I remember my wish or legacy to Rich in the final Prospector was for a gag for Rich. I realize now his non-stop talk was his trying to communicate/escape his feelings. Sorry Rich, I was too dumb to understand.
There were some great times. One time we were sitting around is house on Halloween, drinking beers and giving out candy. After nightfall, a few high schoolers rang the bell, in non-costumes (we're bums), and we gave them each a beer instead of candy (Thanks man!).
Richard had a waterbed mattress, no frame, just a bladder. We jumped and fought on that thing and it never broke (but it did swell). One night we shot M-80s out of a slingshot, 100 yards on to an empty field (not recommended) and yes it was Richard who poured gas all across Lincoln street, set a six foot blaze, and had the cops chase him for blocks (we were young and could vault fences).
At Paul Sebby's wedding in MN, Richard drove to the rehearsal dinner, as it might rain, while most of us walked. Rich squealed by yelling "Positraction!" and one of the group mistakenly said "bet that doesn't work in reverse" (Narrator: Never say can't to Rich). Sure enough Rich comes flying backwards and slams on the brakes. Good thing there were enough of us to push him out of the ditch.
Ironically, for someone who defied authority, Rich joined the Army and did pretty well. Only busted a couple times for smoking pot, he had this talent for fixing things, even if he didn't know exactly how they worked. One time I got a call from him, back in the days when you knew a long distance call by the hiss. I asked when he got into town as this was not a long distance call. He said, "Oh I'm still in Germany, I was troubleshooting the nuclear defense network phone system and I decided to give you a call." It was a very short conversation.
Richard was left a trust by his father, to be distributed when he and his sister turned 25. When he was finally able to access the money, it turned out that Mount Prospect bank had churned his account for about 8 years, buying and selling stocks over and over, so they returned the same amount put in, where if they had just put in an index fund, they would have doubles the money. Such was Richard's lot.
Richard struggled with health issues after leaving the Army, and we lost touch. We reconnected around the 40th reunion, but I never made the effort to see him. I regret not being a better friend Richard, you deserved better.
Mary Irwin (Rahn)
Oh Robert Quinn, you were more than a friend to him, you were comrades in arms and brothers from another mother. Your tribute to him was from your heart and soul and couldn't have been said better.