1) we're not truly that old, are we? Not fair, not fair. . .
2) my recollection of Rick is still that of a 14- or 15-year old young man playing and pitching for our summer baseball team that won well enough that we were the team playing the league `all-stars' (for which Rick was selected to be one of the all-star pitchers).
We lost contact after high school, but my memories of him as a good person persist. My prayers are that his family is comforted, and treasures many fond memories themselves.
Some of my best memories of growing up in Kenosha as a grade school/jr. high school kid, were going over to the Hartnell's house to play baseball (in the back field) or football in the backyard and basketball in their driveway. Especially in the summer there was a game going nearly every day. We went through Whittier Elementary, Lance Jr. High, and Tremper High together. Survived some old style elementary teachers who "scared the crap out of you" and forced you to learn out of self preservation.
Also remember watching Cubs games on WGN in black & white at his house and somebody's dad taking us to a game at Wrigley Field and experiencing all the sounds, smells and colors of a live game. Sounds like Rick continued to play softball after high school and did quite well. Not surprising to me, he was the best ball player in our neighborhood and he had the drive to do well.
Rick and I didn't stay in touch after high school, but I'd hoped to see him again. Like Win Slater said above, this was a hard obituary to read. I feel like a piece of my youth has disappeared. My thoughts are with his family, "rest in peace" Rick.
H. Winston Slater
Rick's passing was tough to read, because:
1) we're not truly that old, are we? Not fair, not fair. . .
2) my recollection of Rick is still that of a 14- or 15-year old young man playing and pitching for our summer baseball team that won well enough that we were the team playing the league `all-stars' (for which Rick was selected to be one of the all-star pitchers).
We lost contact after high school, but my memories of him as a good person persist. My prayers are that his family is comforted, and treasures many fond memories themselves.
Mike Hennessy
Some of my best memories of growing up in Kenosha as a grade school/jr. high school kid, were going over to the Hartnell's house to play baseball (in the back field) or football in the backyard and basketball in their driveway. Especially in the summer there was a game going nearly every day. We went through Whittier Elementary, Lance Jr. High, and Tremper High together. Survived some old style elementary teachers who "scared the crap out of you" and forced you to learn out of self preservation.
Also remember watching Cubs games on WGN in black & white at his house and somebody's dad taking us to a game at Wrigley Field and experiencing all the sounds, smells and colors of a live game. Sounds like Rick continued to play softball after high school and did quite well. Not surprising to me, he was the best ball player in our neighborhood and he had the drive to do well.
Rick and I didn't stay in touch after high school, but I'd hoped to see him again. Like Win Slater said above, this was a hard obituary to read. I feel like a piece of my youth has disappeared. My thoughts are with his family, "rest in peace" Rick.