It is almost impossible for me to explain the impact Richard had on my life. He was the funniest and most talented person. He was good at everything he tried, skateboarding, guitar, school. Whatever he decided to do, he did it well. His sense of humor was hard to describe, very witty, yet completely unexpected. When he opened up to people he would leave laughing for hours. We used to have the best times back then. He was an amazing person and the greatest friend.
This tragedy has clearly affected so many people. The sense of loss to our “village” is overwhelming, but the impact Richard had on all our lives was so positive and that cannot be taken away. Richard we will always miss you.
Wow- after being a little shell shocked from hearing the news all I can say is that there are a few people that make a dent in ones life - and many of the people I know from CA are those people including you Richard. Its hard to forget a small but very strong presence that he had. He was quiet- but when he spoke you couldn't stop from laughing from what Richard had to say. Its sad that he didn't see his kindness and awesome soul that everyone else saw- but he will never be forgotten and will live on forever in the hearts of all the people he made laugh literally all over the world, from his friends at CA to his friends in the states.
I hope you will find peace and happiness where you are now Richard.
Richard and I were in the same 5th grade class with Ms. Lake, back in the day . . .
I remember Ms. Lake would all rotate our seating assignments every month so we would get a chance to sit with everyone, and when I finally got to sit in the same cluster with Richard, I was completely and utterly thrilled because a) he was super nice b) he was smart and cooperative (= excellent desk partner) and c) I had a huge crush on him at the time, so my 10 year-old eyeballs could to stare at him to my heart's desire. (I flipped through my old diary, and I have an entire full page devoted to to how excited I was that day.)
Richard, thank you for always being so kind to me all throughout elementary, middle and high school. Your memory will be with me always.
I remember Richard being one of the smaller ppl in our class...me included of course. We kept bugging each other on who was the taller person and called each other names ..all in good fun of course. When I left after 9th grade and came back to visit CA, I was shocked to find that he had a huge growth spurt! And one of the first things he said to me when he saw me was, "how's the weather down there".....cocky bastid :P
Though I don't really remember much now since I left after 9th grade, it was great to have met and known someone like Richard. Really saddens me to hear of him passing away. But I am happy that he is now in a better place where he is finally free.
Rest in peace old friend.
Pramit-I don't think anyone could have put it better than you-We're a village.
I remember when we were in about 8th or 9th grade he would always talk to me about Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He came back one summer vacation from the States with headphones over his ears with LOUD heavy metal music. Ofcourse he never admitted he listened to Snoop Dogg after that.
I remember him being small built and very quiet but ironically playing the largest and loudest instrument in the band...THE TUBA. I would sometimes tease him and ask him if he needed help carrying it. He would laugh with me and tease me back by saying SHUT UP YOU BAD INDIAN GANGSTA! : )
I also remember how he would split his hair down the middle of his head with zig-zags. Very creative.
It's sad that he had to leave the world the way he did. Maybe he is in a better and happier place now. I can only say that our class was like a being part of a village. It takes a bunch of villagers to create a village like the one we have. However quiet- however loud-however small- however big- everyone of us helped build our village. It's unfortunate- we've lost of one of our villagers.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
