Richard and I met in the 1^st grade in 1955 and remained good friends through elementary, Jr high and high school. I remember he was a great dodge ball player in elementary school and could throw harder and catch better than anyone else. Some of my fondest memories of him are the times when we would go out in his boat or mine and go swimming, skiing or just goofing around on the water.  We were the kings of Middle River, or at least we felt like it!  One summer nite we went out and parked the boat in a creek that was near Benjie’s Drive-in and snuck up the hill and watched some of the movie.  We always argued over whose boat was faster and had a few races. I think he beat me more times than I beat him. I remember I used to tease him when I would be at his house and his mom would say “Richard did you take you vitamin pill today”. He took it in stride and would always look for something to tease me about.

Later when got our licenses and cars, we would go out every Friday and Saturday nite cruising around Essex trying to look cool! I can remember that like it was yesterday and it’s been almost 50 years. His blue 62 Chevy was a classic even before anyone knew it.  I had a 64 Chevy and again, the argument always was whose car is faster! Who had more horsepower, bigger tires, who could shift faster, the debate was endless…..

I remember a trip we all took to Washington, DC, we were about 15 because my mother took us there for the day. I attached a pic of our gang, Richard, me, Gene Calligan, Vernon Francis and Ed K (Fat Ed we used to call him).  We all used to gather in Ed’s garage and play cards and darts and talk about all the girls and who liked who better…another endless debate!

Rich and I connected again a few years after graduation in the early 1970’s when he was in the Navy and we both were married with children and lived in the same apartment complex in Laurel, Md. I last saw him about 5 years ago before he got sick. A group of us met at his house and had a wonderful day together. We talked about getting together again, but life often gets in the way and time passes before you know it.

I will miss him, but cherish all the times we had together and the memories that were made.