Memories

Dave and Janet (Dieumegard) Little and family:

I am a cousin of Richie's originally from Long Island. His mother and my grandmother were first cousins. My memories go back to when we (the Al Dieumegard family) would go to the Revelens in Lindenhurst and have WONDERFUL barbeques. The memories of the Stein Family, GRANNY (Bertha Dieumegard) and my Dad's siblings (Ron and Ted) along with Doris Antonacci's family and Richie's mom, Dad, and brothers - well, let's just say we created a lot of noise. I remember the smells of good cooking from the kitchen or from the grills!! We also have some fond memories of Lake Ronkonkoma and SunkenMeadow!!! Oh the sausage and pepper sandwiches!!!

Richie always gave the time of day to us "little" cousins and listened to our stories about sibling battles or school loves!!! I missed him when he moved to CA. Through weddings and funerals and some barbeques, we have kept somewhat in touch with Joe and his family. Dad gets an occasional visit from Bob but we haven't seen Richie in years. What a shocker to hear of his death. His smile and kindness will always be remembered.

God's Blessings to his family and friends!

Our Sympathies are with you,

Dave and Janet (Dieumegard) Little and family

From Nikki Revelen, Rich's niece:

See photos at MSN Photo.

Uncle Rich always made an effort to stay in contact with us, visiting almost every year. It was always a treat when he would visit. I used to love to hear the stories he and my Dad would tell about their childhood--it sounded like they had a blast and they always made me laugh. 

Probably my 1st memory of Uncle Rich was watersledding behind his Massapequa home. We had such a great time. I also remember visiting him and Aunt Marlene in Calif...we had a fun time at Sea World and he introduced me to the yummy Churro which I could not get enough of. We got our Hammock on that trip too...one of my favorite things--I lived in that all summer long. I was thrilled that he and Aunt Brigitte were able to attend my wedding...we all had such a wonderful time. 

Last year Uncle Rich met me and my husband for a day when our cruise ship docked in San Diego. He took us on a tour, we talked and talked and met Aunt Brigitte for a nice lunch in La Jolla. I remember thinking how cool he was to take the time to spend with us during the week. He was always so good like that...always wanting to stay connected and always a good listener. Even though he lived 3,000 miles away, he always made you feel like we saw each other all the time. 

I'm so grateful for his last trip to NY this past Spring. We spent some time together, he met my daughter and we had the chance to say goodbye. I'm so grateful for that time spent together. 2 days before he left for home, I stopped by my parents house early...thinking he had left for the day, I was walking around talking loudly. My Mom was shushing me saying Uncle Rich was still sleeping. Well, sure enough, I woke him up. He came out with his hair sticking up (just like my Dad) and a big smile on his face. I gave him a big hug and kiss and thanked him for coming all this way to help my Dad. For once, my big mouth paid off...what a treat to say good bye in person rather than over the phone.

I smile when I think of Uncle Rich. He was such a fun, happy person that made everyone feel special. He had a ball playing with my nieces and nephew...it was a real joy to watch. They were just in love with this "big, fun kid". I will miss my Uncle Rich dearly, fondly remembering his warm hugs, hearty laugh and sparkling eyes. He truly was an inspiration, living life to the fullest...something I have always admired.
I am privileged to call him family and honored to call him Uncle, my Uncle Richie.

Thank you all for your love and support during this difficult time. It has been heartwarming to see how many lives my Uncle has touched. 

Love, Nikki

From Lauri Wilson, Rich's niece and god-daughter:

I am going to let my photos speak for themselves as my memories.   I will say that he had the kindest heart and we are all better people for knowing him. I can still see his smile and hear his laugh. Thanks for the memories Uncle Richard I miss you more than words can ever say.

From Brigitte's brother:  

.
Rich,
Maco and I were looking forward to meeting you this summer. We've met only twice but I really enjoyed the conversations we had in France. It was so easy for me to speak in English with you because of your kindness to listen to me and also because I felt we shared a lot about life. I miss you a lot.
Didier et Maco

Scott Dudley:

I am very sorry to hear of this loss. He had qualities most of us aspire to possess.

The loss of a generous soul can be felt 2,000 miles away. I hope he knew how many lives were affected by his presence.

Terry Ford:

One of my fond memories of Rich is my experience of going on trips with him and watching him make breakfast for Brigitte and himself. He would meticulously cut a banana and strawberries for their cereal exactly the same each time. I can’t remember the count but each time he would cut the same amount. 

His love for Brigitte and life was very obvious. He so loved his volleyball.

Janis Stevens:

Rich was the guy that you always looked at and thought, “wow, that guy can do anything!” He has energy galore, is up for anything, anytime, and good at everything. He was always seemed so upbeat and positive. Rich and Brigitte together seemed like that perfect couple who truly enjoyed being together and fit so well. You always wondered “why do they like each other so much?!?!” It was obvious that they lived the life they wanted to the fullest and enjoyed each moment and each other. I admired his zest for life and not letting life happen, but making life happen exactly the way he wanted it to.

One of my fondest memories of Rich was riding up the chairlift at Mammoth one time. It was really cold that day and gray. The chair kept stopping. I really found out a lot about Rich’s life that day. He told me of his first marriage, being a teacher, coming to CA, getting into his own business, and meeting Brigitte. I’ll never forget that time because it was very personal and I was honored he shared his story with me that day. Rich always made me feel welcome and like part of the group.

He had fun playing the game Guesstures and the faces he would make while acting out the cards would always make me laugh. Also, when he tried to hum to a tune when playing the game Cranium, we could never tell what the song was. It was so clear to him, but even after he told us what it was, we still could find no relation between what he was humming and the song he named! I remember his love for crunchy chocolate chip cookies and the fact that he always had a good looking sandwich at the beach on Saturdays.

Todd Stevens:

I played vball almost every Wednesday with Rich and one day that had a profound impact on me began in a casual conversation about the weather that day. It was a winter day and I said to him in a somewhat negative way "it's cold today" almost pretending to shiver as a 7mph breeze nipped at my face (I actually had a sweatshirt on and the sun was shining) and he shot this classic Rich smile/smirk at me and said any day in San Diego playing vball in the afternoon is a great day. What that smile/smirk meant was are you CRAZY, while others are working their ass off ...probably doing something they don't even like .... in a place where there might be a foot of snow on the ground and their busy scraping the ice off the windshield you have the audacity to complain about your situation. I thought to myself that guy always sees the glass 1/2 full.... and it's all about your own personal perspective and you make it what you want. He was like a rock in that perspective ....steadfast and unwavering in his direction, and ready for wherever the adventure took him. He will be sadly missed but certainly never forgotten.

Barb Schroer:

I've known Rich for a long time ... as I get older the years blur but it seems like a long long time ....I have various wonderful memories of spending time with Rich and Brigitte over the years but one memory does stand out.

Last year, I decided to take a dance class learning the " Romantic 2 Step " I believe it was called .... seemed like a good idea. To my delight Rich and Brigitte were also taking the class. Each week we learned new moves and quite frankly... the moves were a bit challenging for most dancers... but rest assured .. I always looked forward to dancing with Rich because of his enthusiasm, his desire to learn, and his skill. I knew that HE would be a good lead and my toes would be spared ... ( can't say that about the rest of the men ... ) Of course, Brigitte was always the elegant swan regardless of the difficulty that week ! We all laughed and danced for weeks ... I finally stopped going when I realized that basically not a single man I KNOW can do this dance... so it seemed futile to continue ...

However, I wish I had taken up their offer to dance outside of class ... another missed opportunity ....

Thank you Rich and Brigitte for all your smiles and kindness all these years,

Jim Young: 

I'll remember frequent Saturday afternoons, after playing volleyball at the Pit, blading with SueT past South Mission Beach and Rich would always be the first person to say "hi" or come over to the boardwalk wall and tell us about the latest party or trip. Of course we'll always have fond memories of Rich's Big Birthday Bash at South Mission as well as Rich and Brigitte's wedding, an amazing time.

Thanks Rich.

Jolinda Kramer:

I liked Rich from the first minute I met him (which I'm sure was on the volleyball court). He always had a smile on his face & was kind to everyone. One of the things I appreciate most about him is the way he treated people. He seemed to treat all people with respect, no matter who you are. He was nice to everyone. Rich was truly one of the kindest people I have ever met, and his love for Brigitte was inspiring.
Saturday's at South Mission will never be the same. He will truly be missed.

Tom Youngholm:

Don't dismay at farewells,
for you must say goodbye
before you can meet again.
And meeting again is certain
for those of us who are truly friends,
whether it be in minutes or lifetimes.
                            - Richard Bach

I met Rich 22 years ago as of last weekend, my first friend in San Diego. Before his love of volleyball was his love of tennis. Sid Shapiro, BIll Gill , myself and some other friends would play 3-4 hours at a time at least 3 times a week. Several years later he asked me to join ASA. On my first outing at Mission Beach, I blew out my knee. A year later he asked to come out again. I got there early and the first person I met was Brigitte. Little did I know that I would officiate their wedding many years later.

His love for her was/is unending and her's for him.

The only solace that I have at this time is knowing, truly knowing, that I will meet Rich again.

Verl Eastman:

It's times like this that we pause and reflect on our time spent with Rich. Some of us go way back while others may have just met him. Either way we all share the special times we shared together (Like those great 50's and 60's parties we had at Tom's house and Rich's yearly birthday party at the beach.

It's a little sad to think we often wait too long to share our feelings for each other in the short time we have to spend on this earth. Rich is a pioneer and an explorer. He is forging ahead of us now to prepare a beautiful Volleyball court so we can all play together when we meet him again. I'm sure Rich would be the first to agree that this is a good time for all of us to reflect on those thing that matter most in life and that is "Family" and "Friends". Well maybe a little Ice Cream and cookies too!!!

Some of us will be helping Rich setup that Volleyball court sooner while others will be later. Much like Saturdays at South Mission. One thing is for sure, there will always be room for everyone on Rich's net. Let's take this special time to remember our time with Rich and renew our efforts to be a better friend to everyone (much like Rich did). Let them know in this life how important they are to you. This way the games will be much better when we are invited to play on Rich's court once again.

Terry Grenier:

I first met Rich at an ASA event. A Polaroid Party, on the list of things we had to do was strip down to our underclothes. Rich suggested we all go back to his house, his roommate Bill would gladly take the picture. Rich was also the one willing to go into Victoria Secret and put on lingerie, he also put on a diaper and had his picture taken. He drove us around in his old blue van as we got our pictures to win the game. I remember thinking this is someone I want as a friend and from that day forward we were. 

Rich had a way of making everyone feel special.

Tony Hannemann:

 I have fond memories of Rich and Brigitte swing dancing around Frank’s “dance floor” during one of his parties. They were fun to watch, not only great dancers but truly in love.

Dawn Coney:

One of my best memories of Rich will always be Saturday volleyball. I would always arrive just before he and Brigitte. Once they arrived we would set the lines and maybe set up the net if there were at least four people there. If not we would just set the lines and sit and chat. Rich loved to talk about sports and I remember he came with Randy and I to a Holiday Bowl game a couple of years ago. Rich was a warm hearted, loving individual. One of the kindest people I would come in contact with. His love for Brigitte was endless. 

Jackie Rahsaz:

April 1994: my 30th birthday party at my condo and I was honored to have him arrive in a collared shirt.	June 1996:   a house party where we created our own entertainment.

I will miss his smile and warm heart. He enjoyed his life and made other's better. South Mission will not be the same again.

Lenah Parente:

I first met Rich at his "1st Annual 50th Birthday Party" on the beach. I had met Bill through ASA, and he told me about the party and how "I would love his best friend Rich", and he was right! Rich was very loving and caring, fun to be around and had so much love for life.

A few weeks after that, a bunch of us piled up in his old blue van and went to Venice Beach for a day of blading, people watching and a 3D movie in Irvine. We had so much fun!!!!

I remember how exciting it was when Rich and Brigitte finally 'found' each other and from then on they always showed so much mutual love and affection. It's been a pleasure to witness their happiness together.

He will be missed.

Mehdi Rastakhiz:

When something like this happens I always think about the legacy that each one of us leaves behind. Most of us learn from each other without us even knowing it. I learned a lot from Rich and I always thought very highly of both Rich and Brigitte. Rich's legacy for me is kindness, gentleness, understanding, love and class. I feel honored that my small life path crossed his. Saturdays beach volleyball, an institution he created will never be the same without him.

Jeff Martin:

I like to take indirect credit for Brigitte and Rich hooking up (just because he jokingly blames me for directly blowing out his knee).  Rich and I were planning on going to Australia in late 1997.  I met Leigh who was going to Africa at the same time.  Needless to say I dropped Australia for Africa and instead of going to Australia Rich blew out his knee.  He says the knee was instrumental to the subsequent courtship.  Nightingale complex?

Rich had an all-encompassing graciousness.  I remember buying an episode of the original Star Trek series, The Apple, because the "Eyes of Vaal" bore (in my mind) a resemblance to Rich.  He just laughed that easy going laugh when I surprised him with it.  As it turns out the "Eyes of Vaal" was an extremely kind and sincere man and could only be construed as a positive association. He set me straight on rooting for the Chinese middle class:  "We can't have a Chinese middle class.  They'll take all our stuff!"

Leigh Martin:

I have enjoyed so many activities with Rich, including volleyball, camping, hiking, biking and skiing to name a few. But I truly enjoyed our time together during our monthly book club meetings. Rich was a voracious reader and his great sense of humor and insightful perspective on the huge spectrum of issues we discussed always gave me great pleasure. I loved laughing with Rich.

As far as whom Rich and Brigitte are, let me tell ya what kind of friends they really are. My 39th week of pregnancy and I’m still trying to finish up our remodeling project. Thursday night, Brigitte phones me to offer her services with whatever needed to be completed. I truly pleaded with her not to spend her Friday afternoon off painting. Absolutely refusing to take no for an answer, she rocked up in her work clothes and painted door frames with me for six hours straight on a Friday afternoon-evening. Rich showed up at my door in his work clothes a few days later. What a genuine gesture of friendship!

The only time the four of us were ever dressed up at the same time.