Hi, My name is Rudy Marconi, aka Amder aka Richardson. I was Rudy Richardson when I first met Richard Malone. We were in second grade and Richard had a very high IQ even then. The teacher even allowed him to teach the class geometrical shapes and percentages. Richard had drawn his own charts for the pressentation.
I knew Richard in Jr. High where we both played trumpet. He had "first chair" and I had "third chair". Richard hardly ever spoke and it was obvious that he had social skill problems. I never saw him conversing with anyone other than classroom exchanges. He never looked anyone in the eye.
In High School, Richard was a complete outcast and considered a "geek" or "nerd". I don't know if he was the subject of bullying, but I believe he was. Back then, bullying went on, but was not a social concern at that time.
I learned of Richards death some years ago, and I believe the word suicide was mentioned. I can see how that would be possible, with him not "fitting in". I don't know who will be reading this; parents, siblings, friends???
But we all need to remember Richard and his social skill problems, as well as bullying. He deserved better from us as a civilized people, Be kind and reach out to those who suffer loneliness. I guess that Loleliness could be considered a fatal dis-ease. Thanks for taking the time to remember Richard, and contact me if you care to at my email address ( rudolphmarconi@gmail.com )
Rudy, I remember much the same about Richard, except I remember one other aspect of his playing. Richard had what we called a photographic memory; more accurately now described as total recall. He played everything note perfect, byt totally lacking in emotion or passion. He must have passion for something not popular with the school administration, because he was our Validictorian, but Paul Wallace, the class Salutitorian, gave the Validictorian's speech at xommencement. I heard Richard jumped from the roof of a dorm atr UM. So sad, and a great loss of life. Such a berilliamt mind wasted.
I always wondered why Richard didn't make the speech as valedictorian. Of course I left before my senior year to go to college but came back for prom and graduation. I just thought I was the only one in the dark about what had happened so that he didn't make the speech. I remember Richard being in my English class in 11th grade with Mrs. Dewhurst and trying to befriend him and get him to talk. He was very reticent and I just thought he was shy around girls. As a veteran teacher I know I would recognize the danger signals now if one of my students exhibited those same behaviors. But teachers back then didn't know about such things and it was so uncommon. I remember reading an account in the paper that said a witness to his suicide said he just did a swan dive and had such a peaceful look on his face. I have remembered those words all these years and wondered what kind of emotional pain he had to be in to think that suicide was the answer. Most people who commit suicide don't really want to die, they just want the pain to end and they don't know any other way to stop the pain. I always wondered what contributions the world missed out on with Richard's death.
My graduate studies are in marriage and family counseling. In theory I should recognoze the sgns now too, but bact then all I saw was that he was quiet and mostly kept to himself. Intellectually, he was out of my league.
The rumor about the speech was tgat what he had written was considered too radical for our tender ears. But that was just a rumor, so who knows?
Hi Chiefs. Just to set the record straight, Jeff Ferguson gave the address at our graduation. I was told that Richard Malone had declined the invitation to speak. I was also asked to speak and also declined (too much stage fright, and at that age what the heck did I have to say?) Jeff, fortunately, was not so tongue-tied.
I believe Jeff went on to Princeton.
I knew Richard Malone in junior high at Parkway and at Carol City Senior High. I was little more than a casual acquaintance, but recognized his brilliance. Was also in Ms. Dewhurst's 11th grade English class with Richard and Kim. Those were good times.
I remember his wry sense of humor. Irony was not lost on him.
Ditto to Rudy's notes about paying attention to those around us who may benefit from some human contact.
What I remember about the graduation speech is that it was very inflammatory and antigovernment and people in the audience were getting very nervous. Remember, the Vietnam conflict was very much a huge presence in our lives.My parents, both avid historians, informed me afterwards that it was a famous speech made before the colonists declared their indepence. I remember thinking how clever it was to link the two wars (conflicts) together and how much we all had to learn about our own history since we didn't recognize it. As a veteran teacher and avid lover of history myself, not much has changed. I once mentored a new teacher who went on to become a school principal less than five years later and he asked me who won WWII. I also remember Jeff and often wondered what happened to him. He was one of the few African American students (perhaps the only one) that I remember being in the advanced classes with us. Has anyone ever heard from him?
I didn't know Joyce and I didn't even remember it was a girl that gave the speech. I don't remember Jeff speaking either but I certainly remember the other speech. Glad to know I wasn't a victim of aging memory, ha ha.
Joyce Daniels gave the main commencement address. I don't remember it, but I know she gave it. Richard didn't even come to graduation.
I had a few classes with Richard during our three years at MCC, and I remember having pleasant conversations with him from time to time. I can even remember him laughing with, or maybe at, me. LOL If he was bullied, I was unaware of it. I knew him, but I didn't know him well. Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to hear of his suicide during our freshman year in college.
Rudy (Rudolph) Amdur (Marconi)
Hi, My name is Rudy Marconi, aka Amder aka Richardson. I was Rudy Richardson when I first met Richard Malone. We were in second grade and Richard had a very high IQ even then. The teacher even allowed him to teach the class geometrical shapes and percentages. Richard had drawn his own charts for the pressentation.
I knew Richard in Jr. High where we both played trumpet. He had "first chair" and I had "third chair". Richard hardly ever spoke and it was obvious that he had social skill problems. I never saw him conversing with anyone other than classroom exchanges. He never looked anyone in the eye.
In High School, Richard was a complete outcast and considered a "geek" or "nerd". I don't know if he was the subject of bullying, but I believe he was. Back then, bullying went on, but was not a social concern at that time.
I learned of Richards death some years ago, and I believe the word suicide was mentioned. I can see how that would be possible, with him not "fitting in". I don't know who will be reading this; parents, siblings, friends???
But we all need to remember Richard and his social skill problems, as well as bullying. He deserved better from us as a civilized people, Be kind and reach out to those who suffer loneliness. I guess that Loleliness could be considered a fatal dis-ease. Thanks for taking the time to remember Richard, and contact me if you care to at my email address ( rudolphmarconi@gmail.com )
David Roth
Rudy, I remember much the same about Richard, except I remember one other aspect of his playing. Richard had what we called a photographic memory; more accurately now described as total recall. He played everything note perfect, byt totally lacking in emotion or passion. He must have passion for something not popular with the school administration, because he was our Validictorian, but Paul Wallace, the class Salutitorian, gave the Validictorian's speech at xommencement. I heard Richard jumped from the roof of a dorm atr UM. So sad, and a great loss of life. Such a berilliamt mind wasted.
Thanks for yout kind tribute.
Dave Roth
Kim Halden
David,
I always wondered why Richard didn't make the speech as valedictorian. Of course I left before my senior year to go to college but came back for prom and graduation. I just thought I was the only one in the dark about what had happened so that he didn't make the speech. I remember Richard being in my English class in 11th grade with Mrs. Dewhurst and trying to befriend him and get him to talk. He was very reticent and I just thought he was shy around girls. As a veteran teacher I know I would recognize the danger signals now if one of my students exhibited those same behaviors. But teachers back then didn't know about such things and it was so uncommon. I remember reading an account in the paper that said a witness to his suicide said he just did a swan dive and had such a peaceful look on his face. I have remembered those words all these years and wondered what kind of emotional pain he had to be in to think that suicide was the answer. Most people who commit suicide don't really want to die, they just want the pain to end and they don't know any other way to stop the pain. I always wondered what contributions the world missed out on with Richard's death.
Kim V. Halden
David Roth
Kim,
My graduate studies are in marriage and family counseling. In theory I should recognoze the sgns now too, but bact then all I saw was that he was quiet and mostly kept to himself. Intellectually, he was out of my league.
The rumor about the speech was tgat what he had written was considered too radical for our tender ears. But that was just a rumor, so who knows?
Dave
Paul Wallace
Hi Chiefs. Just to set the record straight, Jeff Ferguson gave the address at our graduation. I was told that Richard Malone had declined the invitation to speak. I was also asked to speak and also declined (too much stage fright, and at that age what the heck did I have to say?) Jeff, fortunately, was not so tongue-tied.
I believe Jeff went on to Princeton.
I knew Richard Malone in junior high at Parkway and at Carol City Senior High. I was little more than a casual acquaintance, but recognized his brilliance. Was also in Ms. Dewhurst's 11th grade English class with Richard and Kim. Those were good times.
I remember his wry sense of humor. Irony was not lost on him.
Ditto to Rudy's notes about paying attention to those around us who may benefit from some human contact.
Kim Halden
What I remember about the graduation speech is that it was very inflammatory and antigovernment and people in the audience were getting very nervous. Remember, the Vietnam conflict was very much a huge presence in our lives.My parents, both avid historians, informed me afterwards that it was a famous speech made before the colonists declared their indepence. I remember thinking how clever it was to link the two wars (conflicts) together and how much we all had to learn about our own history since we didn't recognize it. As a veteran teacher and avid lover of history myself, not much has changed. I once mentored a new teacher who went on to become a school principal less than five years later and he asked me who won WWII. I also remember Jeff and often wondered what happened to him. He was one of the few African American students (perhaps the only one) that I remember being in the advanced classes with us. Has anyone ever heard from him?
Anne Jackson (Tucker)
I don't remember Jeff's speech but the memorable speech that had everyone nervous was the speech given by Joyce Daniels.
David Roth
Hi Paul - Thanks for setting the record straight. As soon as I read that I remembered Jeff clear as day. Appreciate the reminder!
d.
Kim Halden
Hi Anne,
I didn't know Joyce and I didn't even remember it was a girl that gave the speech. I don't remember Jeff speaking either but I certainly remember the other speech. Glad to know I wasn't a victim of aging memory, ha ha.
Kim
Cathy Coachman (Wanza)
Joyce Daniels gave the main commencement address. I don't remember it, but I know she gave it. Richard didn't even come to graduation.
I had a few classes with Richard during our three years at MCC, and I remember having pleasant conversations with him from time to time. I can even remember him laughing with, or maybe at, me. LOL If he was bullied, I was unaware of it. I knew him, but I didn't know him well. Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to hear of his suicide during our freshman year in college.