Regretfully this late Sunday eve, I am 6 days past the first news of Rich's passing. Oddly, the news comes to me on a day of some certain odd coincidences, reflections and feelings of a blend of nostalgia, and feelings of friendship through connections with the grand golf community I have been fortunate to have made here on GCA.com and here at home in Green Bay.
Today, I went our to my home course to intercept my long time 4some in Men's Club partner, "Steve the Marine" whom I have described to some of you. He is now 88yrs old, and had a widowmaker artery occlusion stent placed 2 1/2 weeks ago. He walks and carries his bag at least twice a week. He has been under treatments for prostate cancer for about 5 years by V.A. with recognition it is attributed to 'agent orange', with bouts of radiation and chemo. Yet, he trucks on incredibly. As some of you know, due to freakish occurrences of separate injuries, I can no longer swing a golf club. But, I go out on Men's Club day to walk along and chat with the guys, rake bunkers, help find lost balls, etc. Steve showed up 4 days after the stent was placed two weeks ago on a 90 degree day, to walk and carry! He pooped out on 14 and I carried his bag to the house. He entered the Men's Club annual championship that was contested this weekend in high 80s to 90 degree weather, and I was concerned about his stamina. So, I went along and again took his bag from 14 on to the house today.
As we were in the clubhouse, I sort of looked at him and got that uneasy feeling we all do arrive at, concerning the realisation of "last rounds". We all will get there...
And, it was at that nostalgic and coincidental moment I thought that I ought to look in on that thread that Lou D., started some two weeks ago, informing us of Rich's grave condition. Thus, 6 days past the actual sad notification, I have come to know that Rich has left us.
I started internet chatting with Rich via e-mail and then GCA.com PMs way back at the beginning for many of us. I felt like I knew him before I actually met him at KP I. Like many of you have recounted, I reconnected with him in person at several Dixie Cups, KPs, 5th Major, and that final meeting at Buda 2016. Rich had during that time made that transfer from Cali to Scotland, and I followed up many times with messages and questions not always golf related, but in his professional bailiwick. He always was very kind and informative, and never left me in doubt of his thoughts on this and that. Of course he would also tell me of Dornoch, and I do regret I never made it there, given how much he expressed his love for the course. But, I do cherish the last golf gathering at Buda 2016 with him and Josie. I was fortunate to sit across from him one nice dinner evening at Carne, along with Ulrich and his wife, and Rich Shefichik and his wife, and we all had a splendid evening of conversation and good fellowship.
I really couldn't say more that our long time GCA.com friends haven't already expressed. Thanks for all your supporting and respectful reflections about Rich.
So.... Rich has played through.... But, I think I see him up there by the Pro shop waiting for us to finish. At least try to make par on the last hole... Riposa In Pace amico.