Richard died suddenly on the campus of St Josheph's College in Rensselear, IN late 1963 or early 1964. I remember standing outside Richard's dorm when I learned of his death.
Mike Murphy, Richard and I (George Brown) were freshman at St Joseph's College. I do not know the cause of Richard's death, however it was sudden, no sickness, probably a stroke.
Thank you for posting.....he will be remembered in our prayers this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas to all fellow shrine Knights! Xo Merry Jo Vander Plas Huntington
ps. Remember our Christmas Pageant in Church, donning our choir robes, caps and stolls, walking thru the tunnels to the Church....those were the days my friends!!
I have a story about Richard Cassidy. Most of you won't remember who I am because I was very shy and quiet in high school, but I want to share this story. One morning in freshman year, my car broke down near school and I walked the rest of the way to class. Richard volunteered to try to jump start my car after school so he came to help me. We got the car started and got to talking about the homecoming dance. He asked if I would like to go with him and I said yes.
Richard was a wonderful dancer and every time there was a sock hop, we got together and danced. I asked him where he learned to dance like that and he said he practiced all the time in front of a mirror. I was delighted that he asked me and we had a wonderful time at the dance. When we got home, he asked if he could have a good night kiss and I said yes. Much to our dismay, my parents were sitting on the other side of the screen door and heard everything. We just both laughed, but the kiss was good.
I had heard a long time ago that Richard died of pneumonia, but there seems to be no evidence of that. He was a really nice guy and a heck of a dancer. He is in my prayers,
George is correct. Richard died suddenly and I don't know the cause either. I think shortly after that George transferred to Central Michigan and I followed shortly afterwards. Our wifes both attended Central and lived together when George & I were in Vietnam.
Merry Christmas everyone and the best of everything for next year.
That was such a lovely story, and I am so glad you shared it. Who knew Richard was a possible future Fred Astaire? What a shame when such a young person dies.
I do remember you as a quiet person,but my impression of you was that you were very pleasant with a warm way about you.
Of course I remember you. That was one of the great things about Shrine. Everyone knew who all the other students were. You were quiet and I respected that. I was never comfortable with the students at the grade school I attended before Shrine. I was considered quiet and shy and actually preferred it that way. Then when I started high school at Shrine, it was like a new world. Shriners were friendly and normal, I loved it.
As for your date with Richard. I would say he was a very lucky guy. Great story and memory.
I don't go the website that often, but I just read all of you comments about Richard Cassady and was moved. The openness of all your comments is very refreshing. My brother Mike was a freshman when we were seniors and one of his best friends was Kent Cassady (Kent just passed away last summer) who was Richards brother. I believe that there were six or seven boys in the family, and I think their mother is still with us, They were all good kids.
George Brown
Richard died suddenly on the campus of St Josheph's College in Rensselear, IN late 1963 or early 1964. I remember standing outside Richard's dorm when I learned of his death.
Mike Murphy, Richard and I (George Brown) were freshman at St Joseph's College. I do not know the cause of Richard's death, however it was sudden, no sickness, probably a stroke.
Mike may remember more about Richard's death.
Respectfully,
George Brown
Mary Jo Vander Plas (Huntington)
Thank you for posting.....he will be remembered in our prayers this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas to all fellow shrine Knights! Xo Merry Jo Vander Plas Huntington
ps. Remember our Christmas Pageant in Church, donning our choir robes, caps and stolls, walking thru the tunnels to the Church....those were the days my friends!!
Cheryll Sulewski (Magiera)
I have a story about Richard Cassidy. Most of you won't remember who I am because I was very shy and quiet in high school, but I want to share this story. One morning in freshman year, my car broke down near school and I walked the rest of the way to class. Richard volunteered to try to jump start my car after school so he came to help me. We got the car started and got to talking about the homecoming dance. He asked if I would like to go with him and I said yes.
Richard was a wonderful dancer and every time there was a sock hop, we got together and danced. I asked him where he learned to dance like that and he said he practiced all the time in front of a mirror. I was delighted that he asked me and we had a wonderful time at the dance. When we got home, he asked if he could have a good night kiss and I said yes. Much to our dismay, my parents were sitting on the other side of the screen door and heard everything. We just both laughed, but the kiss was good.
I had heard a long time ago that Richard died of pneumonia, but there seems to be no evidence of that. He was a really nice guy and a heck of a dancer. He is in my prayers,
Cheryll Sulewski Magiera
Cheryll Sulewski (Magiera)
Now that I think about it, it probably wasn't freshman year, we weren't driving yet.
Mike Murphy
George is correct. Richard died suddenly and I don't know the cause either. I think shortly after that George transferred to Central Michigan and I followed shortly afterwards. Our wifes both attended Central and lived together when George & I were in Vietnam.
Merry Christmas everyone and the best of everything for next year.
Mike Murphy
Lucia Lenhard (Johnson)
Cheryl,
That was such a lovely story, and I am so glad you shared it. Who knew Richard was a possible future Fred Astaire? What a shame when such a young person dies.
I do remember you as a quiet person,but my impression of you was that you were very pleasant with a warm way about you.
Warm wishes for a great holiday season,
Lucia
Tom Wischman
Cheryl
Of course I remember you. That was one of the great things about Shrine. Everyone knew who all the other students were. You were quiet and I respected that. I was never comfortable with the students at the grade school I attended before Shrine. I was considered quiet and shy and actually preferred it that way. Then when I started high school at Shrine, it was like a new world. Shriners were friendly and normal, I loved it.
As for your date with Richard. I would say he was a very lucky guy. Great story and memory.
Tom Wischman
Pat Diggles
To all,
I don't go the website that often, but I just read all of you comments about Richard Cassady and was moved. The openness of all your comments is very refreshing. My brother Mike was a freshman when we were seniors and one of his best friends was Kent Cassady (Kent just passed away last summer) who was Richards brother. I believe that there were six or seven boys in the family, and I think their mother is still with us, They were all good kids.
Thanks for the memories!
Pat Diggles