Taken Too Soon

Ah Richard,
So soon. I can remember so many times when you would make a point to come by and visit, share stories and wisdom. I learned much from you all those days working together at Cobalt and will miss your sly but warm smile. Go in Peace.

Wonderful person

Rich and I worked together at CDK/Cobalt/ADP on the PIC team. Meetings were fun when Rich was there. He was warm and charming with a wicked sense of humor. We stayed in touch after we both left CDK, but I wish I had stayed in better touch. To his family - he bragged about his wife and kids - you could tell he was proud of his family most of all. He will definitely be missed.

Our Time at SES

Richard and I worked at SES during the first half of the 1990s. I was office manage, but I always said my title was ‘resident mom’, since I was old enough to be their mom (in most cases). My son worked there, too.

My desk was stationed directly outside of the sales department. I was privy to everything they said and did when they were working in the office. I have so many treasured memories that still make me smile or laugh to this day.

Richard had a sort of Bill Murray way about him … quiet, slow moving, cool, calm and collected. If you didn’t pay attention, you could easily miss the funny things he said. I always paid attention, I didn’t want to miss a thing.

At Debbie’s bridal shower, he had insisted on attending. A bit different, but it truly was a nice idea. The one thing that stands out is when Debbie opened a pair of Waterford Crystal candlestick holders. One could hear all the ladies Ooh-ing and aah-ing.

Then Debbie handed them to Richard. He tosses them both up into the air, causing them to twirl, and then he caught them as they began to fall. That time, one could hear all the ladies making sounds of alarm. Richard just smiled as he caught them, that twinkle in his eyes.

Richard was a teddy bear behind that cool exterior. That side came out whenever he talked about Debbie or his family (at that time, his parents, brothers and Debbie’s parents). I can still feel his hugs. They were lovely.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Debbie and their children, their families and friends. I feel blessed that I knew him. XO to all.

A real mensch

I didn't know what a mensch was before I met you Rich, and when you called me one I immediately used the Google machine and found out. It turns out it was an extremely complimentary thing- that's what I loved about you.. you simply never knew. In July 2004 I started a new job with The Cobalt Group and my first field assignment was in San Diego, we met for the first time at a Courtyard by Marriott in the gas lamp district of San Diego and before the end of our breakfast I knew we would be great friends. That is how things started with us, two road warriors carrying briefcases from venue to dealership etc. We had so any fun times and have so many memories as a part of our friendship. We would sometimes not speak for a few months but, for the most part, we spoke weekly. We would talk about our families, we would talk about life's ups and downs. The ups usually being our family and the downs usually being your beloved Minnesota Vikings. I remember all the conversations. The one we had after I had a heart attack in 2006 where I made a commit to health and how, for the most part you followed along. I remember how you reached out to Karen at that time to check in and I also remember your kind words when we lost out son Alec. We had so any conversations, so many. The fact is you had the ability to wade into a topic of incredible debauchery one minute, brag about your wife and family the next and then wrap up speaking of your beloved and now departed Mother Etta. There is so very much to unpack here buddy - I will have to leave it that I love you man. Rest in Paradise!!

To all that are mourning this wonderful man. He and I have been friends since we were 14/15 years old. He was one of a kind and truly a good soul. Was so looking forward to meeting up again and sharing our families. I’m so sorry that he is gone and pray his family finds comfort in the beautiful memories made together. Ol’ Blue Eyes, you were one in a million. Miss you my friend.