Eulogy for Friend :: Eulogies Eulogy

Eulogy for Friend Richie, Richie, Richie†¦ I met Rich at freshman orientation at Lynchburg College in August, 1975. My freshman orientation packet said that I was to meet with my group at my assigned table in the dining hall. After getting my dinner, I found the right table and sat down across from another freshman. There was no one else at the table. I think it was fate. After what seemed like a couple of minutes, a conversation started. We talked about our hometowns. He told me that his family lived in Manassas, but that most of his life was spent in Naples, Italy. As you all know, he was very proud of his Italian heritage. He was very proud of his life, family, and friendships in Italy. After awhile in this conversation, I asked him if knew anything about school sports. â€Å"I would like to run cross country,† I said. Well with that question, there was much to talk about. It did not take too long to realize that while I enjoyed running, for him, it was his passion. Rich became my closest friend through college. Through that friendship I made other life-changing friendships that carry on today. He told me his happiest time in college was his senior year. That is when he met his wife Nonie. I remember their first date when Sandi Parker introduced them. Many times he would head over to Randolph-Macon Women’s College to see Nonie, or she would be headed to our campus to see him. Rich and I were roommates that year. Several years after college and living in North Carolina, I realized that I had no friends and a job I did not like. I was thinking of moving back home to the D.C. area. Rich and I talked often on the phone. At that point, he said, â€Å"Look, why don’t you try it out here.† I told him I had no money and no job prospects. He said, â€Å"Brad, you can stay here, sleep on the sofa. I will get us some paint jobs to help get you started.† So, Rich and Nonie graciously opened up their home. While I slept on the sofa, Andrew shared the â€Å"mamote† [remote]. A month later, I got a place to live and a full-time job. I do not know of many friends that would open their home up like that, but then that’s Rich. Eulogy for Friend :: Eulogies Eulogy Eulogy for Friend Richie, Richie, Richie†¦ I met Rich at freshman orientation at Lynchburg College in August, 1975. My freshman orientation packet said that I was to meet with my group at my assigned table in the dining hall. After getting my dinner, I found the right table and sat down across from another freshman. There was no one else at the table. I think it was fate. After what seemed like a couple of minutes, a conversation started. We talked about our hometowns. He told me that his family lived in Manassas, but that most of his life was spent in Naples, Italy. As you all know, he was very proud of his Italian heritage. He was very proud of his life, family, and friendships in Italy. After awhile in this conversation, I asked him if knew anything about school sports. â€Å"I would like to run cross country,† I said. Well with that question, there was much to talk about. It did not take too long to realize that while I enjoyed running, for him, it was his passion. Rich became my closest friend through college. Through that friendship I made other life-changing friendships that carry on today. He told me his happiest time in college was his senior year. That is when he met his wife Nonie. I remember their first date when Sandi Parker introduced them. Many times he would head over to Randolph-Macon Women’s College to see Nonie, or she would be headed to our campus to see him. Rich and I were roommates that year. Several years after college and living in North Carolina, I realized that I had no friends and a job I did not like. I was thinking of moving back home to the D.C. area. Rich and I talked often on the phone. At that point, he said, â€Å"Look, why don’t you try it out here.† I told him I had no money and no job prospects. He said, â€Å"Brad, you can stay here, sleep on the sofa. I will get us some paint jobs to help get you started.† So, Rich and Nonie graciously opened up their home. While I slept on the sofa, Andrew shared the â€Å"mamote† [remote]. A month later, I got a place to live and a full-time job. I do not know of many friends that would open their home up like that, but then that’s Rich.