lauraherald

Hi all,

I'm Laura Herald, Richard's oldest daughter. I'm 26, and I currently am living in Boston. I've ridden on the back of my Dad's bike too many times to count, bu never driven a bike of my own - my Dad always said I wouldn't be driving my own bike until I take the safetly courses! If I did have one though, I think I would go with a black Honda, and a yellow suit.

I was able to meet a few of you at the funeral service for my Dad, and you all seem like great guys that I know my Dad enjoyed spending time with- weather it was replying to your posts, riding, or racing around the track.

I was talking to Dave and he said that many of you would enjoy reading what was said by my sisters and I at the service - so here are our words about our Dad. I hope they bring you peace and joy.

L



BONNIE (21 yrs)
"I heard once that the average Americans number one fear is public
speaking. The number two fear is death. For whatever reason, I never
developed a fear of being in front of people and I know that my father
never found fear in death, because he knew where his eternity lied;
with Jesus Christ. To tell you who my father was would take me a
lifetime, so instead I will tell you what he stood for.
First and almost foremost, just below his faith, he stood for family.
He had a love for his wife and three daughters that is seldom seen in
a man these days. He would use the phrase "my girls" to refer to the
group that followed his fearless leadership. One of my favorite
memories as a family happened not that long ago. We had decided to go
on a Caribbean cruise over Christmas vacation and my mom was really
talking up the sting rays. We took a small boat out to a sandbar and
then were released to be with the giant sea creatures. We were all
TERRIFIED, especially my mom. She was on my dad's back the entire
time, and I think I laughed the entire time. We had a family picture
taken as a memory from the excursion. My dad is front and center,
holding a sting ray with an outrageous look of joy on his face, while
my mom is clung to his back, with terror and laughter spread over
hers. I laugh every time I look at that picture. After I arrived
back at Purdue University from Christmas break, I realized I had left
my ipod at home. I called my dad and asked him to send it to me.
When it arrived, I was shocked to find that my dad had inscribed my
name across the back in permanent marker. Outraged, I called him and
asked him why he did this. He said, "I didn't want anyone to steal
it." As if his poor handwriting was somewhat going to protect me from
an ipod thief, he genuinely just wanted to take care of me, even if it
was at a distance.
Next, he stood for fun. We called him "the king of puns" as he was
always looking for a play on use to get a few cheap laughs. When he
found out I was marrying Conor Glass, he made jokes about throwing
stones in glass houses almost everyday. He loved to watch movies,
mess with any electronic gadget, and ride his motorcycle. Family
dinners usually ended with someone falling out of their chair due to
laughter. To be honest, it was usually me. When my dad was in grade
school, he got kicked out of class for laughing uncontrollably and
disrupting the class. When I heard that story, I knew I was my
father's daughter. As I got older, I began to notice the expressions
that would spread over his face when he was formulating a joke. Many
times I would look at him and say, "I know what you are thinking;
control yourself" as it was usually a somewhat inappropriate time for
a joke.
Lastly, my dad stood for the future. He will always be one of the
biggest dreamers I know. He was always looking ahead to find out what
could be bigger, better, more fun, or in his preference, faster. "I
can't wait to see Conor on ESPN" "Val and Mark should build that
house" "I hope Laura starts that business" "Bonnie, come check out
this new part I have for my bike." Not too long ago, I called my dad
excitedly about a job I was applying for. His first comment, almost
without delay was "you know you need to make enough money for you and
Conor." Even though I understood his concern, I was disappointed I
had not received his usual excited praise. The next day he called me
to apologize. He told me it was his nature to care too much, but now
I had a husband to advice me and his job was to just be excited. That
was the last time we spoke, and I know that is what he is doing for us
now; just being excited.
On Monday, as I drove home from Denver, concerned about my dad's
accident, Conor and I hit a storm that left the entire sky navy blue.
Amidst the clouds, though, shone two enormous rainbows. I knew at
that moment that God's grace would shine through the storms of my
life. Rainbows are his promises of hope, comfort, and an unending
love. Although this is not the path any of us would have voluntarily
chosen, I am rejoicing in the fact that my dad left us proud of his
family, having fun with his friends, and looking towards the future.
Thank you so much for all the love and support that have been given to
our family, but most of all, thank you for coming and celebrating with
us and honoring a very special man who will be greatly missed."





VALERIE (24 yrs)
"Over the past week I've lots of little things come to mind that I
loved about my dad – his inability to repeat a movie quote properly,
the way he mispronounced and misspelled everything, the meals where
we'd all be laughing at least someone would fall out of their chair,
or when he'd teach me about cars so I would know how to check my oil.
More than those small things, though, I've been able to feel the
fingerprints my dad has left on my character.

There's a home move we have where my dad is doing flips with my sister
Laura and I. I'm pretty small but am able to walk and talk, so I
think I knew what was going on. Even when we were little my dad was
always encouraging us to try new things and be adventurous. When he
excitedly asked me if I could give him flip, I was too scared and can
be heard saying "but I'm too little." After watching my older sister
give him a flip though, I am seized by courage and decide to give it a
try. As the video shows, my dad expertly flips over my small body
with no help from me. As I'm standing up though, he is telling me how
great I am at flipping. I then utter the now famous line in our
family of, "I did it. I was good job!" My dad has always been my
biggest fan, encouraging me to try things and to not be intimidated by
fear or failure. With every accomplishment I was always reminded by
him that "I was good job".

Being blessed enough to live in a house full of girls is no small
task. I think there were times my dad had no idea how to handle my
volatile emotions, especially when I was younger. I can remember
being 5 or 6 years old and our air conditioning had broken. It was a
summer night and I was lying in my bed sweating and crying about how
hot I was and how this was hands down the worst moment of my life. My
dad was sitting on my bed, probably wanting to laugh at how ridiculous
I was being. Instead, he stuck his wet, sticky armpit in my face and
said, "You know Val, you're not the only who's hot but you are the
only one who's crying". My dad always knew how to appeal to my
realistic side and it was his constant reminder to me that my life
would never be fair the way I wanted it to be. There would always be
people and situations that were unfair, air conditioners that would be
broken. Because of this fact, he'd say, it is your choice how to
react. You can choose to be happy, or you can choose to be sad, and
you will always have those options.

On Friday morning last week I woke up and knew I would see my dad at
the hospital for the last time that day. It was at that moment that
he would've put his hand on my shoulder and said, "What do I always
tell you, Val?" Under normal circumstances I would repeat the words
to him in a snotty voice because I was mad – but at this moment I
liked how it felt. This path I am on is one that I never would have
chosen and I'm feeling anything but happy about it right now, I know,
though, that I do still have the option to choose.
Today I am happy because I had 24 years with a dad who loved me,
I'm happy because he got to meet my fiancé,
I'm happy because his died doing something that brought him so much joy,
I'm happy because my dad was a believer in Jesus Christ,
And I'm happy that this doesn't have to be goodbye. Because of
heaven this is more of just a "so long" or "I'll be seeing you".

My dad was not perfect – he rarely could recognize my voice on the
phone, and sometimes he would forget when my birthday was, and he
never put his dirty dishes away, but I know that he had a special
place in his heart that belonged to just me, "Val my Pal" as he would
always say. Today I am choosing to praise our Lord Jesus for giving
me the dad that he did and even though I'm not ready to let him go
yet, I know that in eternity our time together will never have to end."





LAURA (26 yrs)

"Hi, I'm Richard's oldest daughter, and I just want to share a few
things about my Dad.
First, he really enjoyed talking to people, which most of you probably
know because he probably came up to you after church or in Bible Study
and just talked with you and made you feel special. He was notorious
for always talking to "the wierd guy" in a room. We have a cousin who
is probably the wierdest person I have ever met, and my dad would
always be the one at the family gatherings talking to him when no one
else even wanted to make eye contact. A while ago, I was kind of
struggling with a co-worker who was the same type of person, and I
asked my Dad, "How do you deal with people that you have nothing in
common with or make you feel awkward?" and he said "Laura, you just
have to enjoy people for their weirdness, or else you'll never have
any fun in life..." and that's just something that I've carried, and
will always remember.
Secondly my Dad was just a really fun person to be around. When I
was about 13, we took a family vacation to a water park. My Dad wanted
to go on this water slide that was very steep and shot straight down.
I went down first, and when I got to the bottom, I reallized that my
suit was nearly up to my armpits! Luckily, I was able to pull it down
before I stood up. But my Dad did not use the same method... He went
flying down the water slide and stood up with his swimsuit in the most
gigatic wedgie I had ever seen in my life! And.. he was walking around
looking...looking for me.. I was standing next to a male lifeguard who
said "Hey... is that your Dad..?" and I said "Nope." ..and quickly
exited! However, my embarassment quickly faded. When I was in high
school my Dad would come to my track meets and cross country meets on
his motorcycle and all the high school boys would gather around it and
ask me "Hey... is that your Dad..?" and I would say
"...pssshhh...Yeah.."
Another favorite memory that I have with my dad is that after my races
in cross country, I would always want him to be at the end of the
chute. At the end of the race, I would exit the chute and go right to
my dad. I would just hug him and let him hold onto me, so I wouldn't
fall down and so I could catch my breath. And no matter what, he would
always be proud of me and always tell me "Good Job" after I finished
the race. And I know thats what it was like for him entering heaven...
because he entered the chute, and God was there on the other end to
tell him he was proud.. and "Good Job."

CBRVFR

Thanks to all of you for doing that. Your family's faith, love, and humor in the face of this sadness is an amazing witness.

'Uncle Dave'

__________________
"...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass."

Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly.

Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

Hammer

Laura,

I know you have read some of the posts on here about your Dad. He is special to us as well. Although only a few from the site have met your family, we all know he was a good family man. You could tell that by the way he talked about his family when we were riding together. He is the type of Dad you want to be like yourself. He has a good heart and a genuine caring for others. You are lucky lady to have a Dad like him.

If you or any of the family need anything, just ask.

__________________
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

bwhip

Wow.

I am deeply touched by your words, and so grateful that you shared them with us, for it is further confirmation of what I'd believed about our friend Rich - that he was a wonderful man and a great and inspiring dad. I know that God continues to care for him, and will continue to care for each of you as well.

Thank you again for your beautiful and inspiring words, and may God continue to bless you and your entire family.

__________________
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Jetbdude

Thanks for sharing!

I'm the lost Canadian the was there last Thursday. I was amazed by how you girls where strong that day.

My dad was really enjoying motorcycle as well. I asked him to welcome Richard up there and show him around the place. My dad has been there for 12 years, you'd think he knows the nice spots by now

Thanks again for taking the time to post here. You're part of our other family now. Right uncle Dave

__________________
#20

SomeStrangeGuy

Wow.

Girls I never met your father in person, but I'm honored to have known him as I did. Thank you very much for sharing that with us, and welcome to our family here. If there is anything you need, or we can do...well, you know where to look.

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Time is the ultimate currency.

seamus

Bonnie, Val and Laura,

I avoided asking Dave to post those sentiments but I'm glad you did. I really wanted everyone to be able to see your father from the point of view of those who knew him best. I'm glad to have met your father and I'm a better person for it. My only wish would be to have known him longer to find the "imperfect" part of him. I never got to see it.

Please pass on to your sisters and mother that you'll always be welcome and taken care of wherever I am.

__________________
Ducit Amor Patriae

Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.
--- Thucydides

Bacchus

I never got to meet Richard either, but am as grief-stricken as others here because we really are one big family. I was in tears ladies, reading all of your memories of your Dad. Wow! What a super person he was!! You are so fortunate to have had a father as caring as that, but you all already know that.

Again, RIP fellow motorcyclist...

oldfogey

Bonnie, Val and Laura,

Thank you for posting your remembrances here, they are much appreciated. I never met your dad, but am honoured to have in some way been touched by his life.

__________________
A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have - Gerald R. Ford

abtech

Laura,

Thanks for posting these words. I was never very close with your Dad, but could always count on him during rider's meetings to finish one or two of my thoughts in his patented "double entendre" to the delight of everyone there. I consider myself very lucky to have known Richard as a friend and fellow motorcycle addict for the few short years since we first met.

I know your family will always cherish the time you had together, as do all of his extended family here. Take good care.

__________________

Now in stereo
AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . .

FrenchieR6

Laura, Valerie, and Bonnie

Thank you so very much for sharing those beautiful words with us so that we can again see the wonderful man your father was and what an impact he did to all of us.

It was a great pleasure meeting you and your family.

__________________
Fear and Distraction are the enemies of presence, and concentration is the cure.

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SheepOfBlue

I could never figure out why your Dad was so nice to me now I know as I have an excess of weird for him There is a few things that are easy to figure out though:
While your time with him was not long enough, it never is, it was a HUGE blessing that many do not get.
You three will follow the tradition laid down by him and your Mom and for that the world is a better place.
For years you will realize how much he taught you as it continues to sink in.
He is proud of you and your sisters.

I hope today you can choose to smile.

__________________
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

Sunbert

Laura,
Thank you for posting. I'm in the group that never met your father, but I have shed tears over your loss and your family has been in my prayers. I hope that someday when God calls me home such kind words can be said about me. God bless you and your family.

HondaGalToo

Thanks so much for sharing your tributes with us. I met Rich a few times at the Grattan track events, didn't know him very well, but could tell right away he was a man of character. A great guy who will be missed by all of us. You continue to be in my thoughts...

__________________
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Shenders1

Laura: I really appreciated this - Thanks for posting. Richard made a pretty big positive impression on me. It's clear from the other replies to your post that he affected others in the same way.

DevilDawg

Thank you very much for sharing this. For those of us who have never met Rich, this was an incredible glimpse into the life he lead, and the lives he's created. And I echo Sheep's sentiment that the world is a better place because of it. There's no way it could be otherwise.

__________________
Godspeed #20.

ONEvcs

I'm at a loss of words... Thanks for sharing.

RedRider

Laura - I, too, thank you for sharing your words with us. We all felt the love and emotion from you and your sisters at his service...it was truly a great tribute to a great person. Your Dad and I rode many miles together on the track and the street...I feel blessed for having known him.

gt702

Laura, thank you for sharing this. I'm one of those who was hoping to get a copy but hesitant to impose. All of the remembrances were very touching and encouraging.

I know when I lost my father suddenly (when 19) I would not have had the courage and strength to speak as eloquently in such a time. It definitely shows the strong character I enjoy in your Dad.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

Leelover

Thanks Laura

You and your sisters (and Mom) did an awesome job of providing us a glimpse into the character of your father.
Your words were very inspired. I have never laughed, and cried, so intensely, so closely together.

Your father is incredibly proud of all of you...

__________________
"The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

Nicky66

Thanks for the post Laura. I hope you stick around the site, or at least check in from time to time. I admire the strength shown by you girls in the very difficult time. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family. Thanks again

__________________
Godspeed #20

asiliat

Thank you for posting that. I have never met your dad and probably have never participated in the same thread.... but I cried a little when I read your words of love, and am thankful to our Lord Jesus for using him to bless so many of yous.

We may never understand why he was taken back to Heaven at such an early age, but by this I'm reminded how my walk with the Lord has strayed, and I hope his passing will bring more people back to the Lord.

Crash

I've never read anything as heart felt. Thank you so much for sharing these personal stories with us. I never knew your father, but his words and actions are perfect guidelines for my life, because he must have been an amazing man to have his children speak so fondly of him. I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sorry I never knew him.....

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for1only

It was great to hear what you girls said about your dad. I'm sorry that I had to leave the viewing early-I was the one with the little guy. I wish I spoke to Rich more and got to know him better-by all accounts he was an extraordinary man-by your accounts he was an incredible father. I cant help but look up to your dad now that I am embarking on my journey of fatherhood. Your words, your sisters words and the brief conversation with your mom have truly inspired me. Rich will never be truly gone-his memories, his passion for riding, his sense of humor and indeed all that embodies your great father will always be with those who were lucky enough to know him. We are all going to miss him but now instead of a deep sorry everytime I think about him now I smile and realize how much of a great guy he was and then I remember all the great things everyone had said about Rich and it inspires me.

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