Richie, dear Richie. I had a crush on him in grade school. His initials were one of many initals within hearts that seemed to appear on the family "outhouse" in bright red fingernail polish. Don't ask me who else's initals were on those walls. Just get out the list of boys in Manners School and they probably had their initials on those walls.
Since I moved away from East St. Louis right out of high school, I lost contact with everyone. After returning to the area in the late 70's, I accidently met Richie at WalMart and we talked for hours, about old times. Richie told me the story about our 15-year class reunion that as I walked into the party, Richie had to tell my ninth-grade boyfriend who I was, as the old boyfriend didn't recognize me because I became a redhead and that I had changed a lot since school. We both laughed when I heard that story.
On the weekend that Richie died, my sisters and I were walking in Branson and I talked about Richie and the above incident. We all laughed and then on my return to Dallas, I cried as I heard of his death. He was a good friend and I cherish the little time we spent together.
Marlene Somraty (Somraty)
Richie, dear Richie. I had a crush on him in grade school. His initials were one of many initals within hearts that seemed to appear on the family "outhouse" in bright red fingernail polish. Don't ask me who else's initals were on those walls. Just get out the list of boys in Manners School and they probably had their initials on those walls.Since I moved away from East St. Louis right out of high school, I lost contact with everyone. After returning to the area in the late 70's, I accidently met Richie at WalMart and we talked for hours, about old times. Richie told me the story about our 15-year class reunion that as I walked into the party, Richie had to tell my ninth-grade boyfriend who I was, as the old boyfriend didn't recognize me because I became a redhead and that I had changed a lot since school. We both laughed when I heard that story.
On the weekend that Richie died, my sisters and I were walking in Branson and I talked about Richie and the above incident. We all laughed and then on my return to Dallas, I cried as I heard of his death. He was a good friend and I cherish the little time we spent together.