Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service - Page 2

CBRVFR · 07-05-2007, 09:04 PM

Linda and the girls had wonderful, funny things to say.This is the tribute I (tried) to read..

Quote:

I have been blessed with the gift of Rich Herald’s friendship for the last 28 years, just over half of my life. In many ways we were as different as our statures would indicate, but we really came to love and trust each other as brothers.

He was a big man with a huge amount of love, joy, and enthusiasm in his heart. In fact, you could define Richard by his love. I don’t think that holds true for everyone. Some of us are more easily defined by what makes us mad, and that was another difference between us.

To begin to define him, then, the first thing that comes to mind is his unwavering and total love for Linda, the center of his life, and for his daughters, Laura, Val, and Bonnie, of whom he was so proud, and from whom he drew so much happiness.

Richard was a man who unequivocally and unapologetically loved the Lord, and it really showed in his character. He was genuine and forthright, full of good humor and without a shred of pretension. He succeeded in living a truly God-centered life without displaying overt religiosity or judgementalism. He did exhibit God’s light in the way he interacted with people. Strangers whom he just met would respond to him as if he were a trusted friend, and given a few hours, he would be.

He loved and valued his friends. He was always ready to listen and offer help. He never took himself too seriously, and his good humor was ever present. He relished good times spent with people he enjoyed, and he was always enjoyable to be with. I will always remember him with a smile on his face, it was never far below the surface, and I could nearly always get him to laugh.

He was intelligent, analytical, creative, and industrious. There was nothing he wouldn’t take on in order to make an improvement or repair, often at the request of a friend. With his mechanical engineering education and his practical hands-on skills, he was a formidable problem solver, and many of us benefited from his knowledge and the generosity he showed by spending his valuable time helping with our problems.

I can tell you that he showed this integrity of personality through all of our experiences over decades of friendship–he was the same person regardless of the group he was with or situation he was in -

Whether he was at worship or at a martial arts movie,
When he was running sound for our band or remodeling his house,
whether he was working on an engineering project
or riding 100 miles on a bicycle,
whether he was at home with his family or meeting new people at a motorcycle event, he was a good guy, a great friend, an exemplary person.

When my son was very young, I’d talk to him about character. I listed four things to work on:
You have to be brave
You have to be smart
You have to be nice (to your sisters…)
You have to be funny.
As I look on it now, I was training my son to be like the man that he called his Uncle Richard.

After the Heralds left Michigan when he went to work in Indiana, there was a lot of concern within our very close families that we’d drift apart.
We saw that as a great opportunity to make an unopposed end run into resuming our mutual dormant love of motorcycling. Much of the time we’ve spent over the last fifteen years involved that sport; riding tens of thousands of miles through the backroads of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, meeting great people and seeing the beauty of our country close-up. Those were memorable, enjoyable times.

I am a much better person for having been Rich’s friend, and I hope all of us who knew Rich will consciously carry some of his good nature with us today as a way to honor his remembrance.
If anyone I ever met was heaven-bound, he’d be the one. I hope that it is more fantastic than any of us were ever able to speculate.

I hope that when I make that trip toward a bright light, that the light will be coming from the headlights of a couple of Hyper-optimized sportbikes, fully prepped and gassed up and with snacks in the tank bags; to be greeted by Richard’s massive strength, and to hear him tell me that we’re expected for dinner, but if we hurry, he’s planned out a great backroad route we can use to get there.
I’ll look forward to losing myself in the rhythm of that ride, chasing Rich around at the speed of light, knee down on the milky way, headed for home.

RedRider · 07-05-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchieR6

Just got home and all I can say is Rich was a remarkable man with true values. By listening to his daughters and wife, it showed how much this man brought into their life and all of us as well. He truly lived his life to the fullest and will be missed deeply.

Here's a pictures of the Addicts that came to dinner.

And, like RedRider mentioned, this ORG is indeed an awesome family.

Glad you got home safe...

Great pic...and proof DEPO does clean up well!

gt702 · 07-05-2007, 09:15 PM

As others have said, it was a very moving and beautiful service. Rich touched many lives, and will be missed in person, but his legacy and memory will live on and people will smile when they remember him.

Hammer, the flowers were excellent

you did a great job. They were put right up front at the podium.

It was good to see everyone that came up, your support for the family was very touching to me, so I'm sure it was to the family.

Dave, what can I say ... I'm glad to count you as a friend, you really supported Rich's family in what I know is a very difficult time, and I know you'll be there for them as they adjust. Thank you.

So, as we learned to day, I'll close with Rich's saying of "you can choose to be sad, or you can choose to be happy". I think we all know Rich's choice.

luvtolean · 07-05-2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Linda and the girls had wonderful, funny things to say.This is the tribute I (tried) to read..

Thank you for posting that.

You've always been a wordsmith Dave, but that is inspired. Funny enough, I'm just heading out on my roadbike actually.

Take special care over the next week friend.

Baketech · 07-05-2007, 09:22 PM

Thanks for sharing that Dave...it made my day, on a day that I needed a lift...

gt702 · 07-05-2007, 09:23 PM

Dave, thanks for posting. All of the remembrances were wonderful, and yours did a great job of summing it up and looking forward ... which is difficult at times like these.

Hammer · 07-05-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchieR6

Here's a pictures of the Addicts that came to dinner.

I got to ask, who are those people?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Linda and the girls had wonderful, funny things to say.This is the tribute I (tried) to read..

Dave, you could not have said it better than that.

FrenchieR6 · 07-05-2007, 09:49 PM

Dave, you are a wonderful friend. You couldn't have said it better...All of us that knows you are bless

bwhip · 07-05-2007, 09:54 PM

God bless all of you that were in attendance for your support for Rich's family. And Dave, thanks again for setting such a great example for all of us, of just what friendship means. We are all blessed to be part of your circle of friends.

flipf4ipilot · 07-05-2007, 10:15 PM

Kristie and I were talking on the way home how great the service was. Full house and not a dry eye there, proof of Rich's character. Good to see everyone.

Jetbdude · 07-05-2007, 10:16 PM

Just made it to my hotel room in Chicago. Yep, Chicago. I was getting ready to load my truck on Tuesday night when I had a phone call from my boss saying I had to be in Chicago by Friday. Call it luck, but I like to think it's something else...... So instead of driving my truck down I'm still riding around in the factory one.I was able to leave the factory at 4:00Pm yesterday and drove the 687 miles to the service. I unfortunately had to leave early to meet with a customer here tonight. So after another 300 miles here I am.

I was amazed by Richard's family. They where so nice and looked really strong. It felt so good to see them. It was a bit hard and I was really nervous, It was bringing some pretty bad memories for me, but those feeling disappeared as soon as I was able to talk to Linda and her daughter. Best of luck to them on what will be a bumpy road for a while.

It was nice to see all the members that could make it.

Dale, hats off for being there.

Seamus and Kathleen, I don't care what everyone is saying, you guys are good people

Thanks for this morning.

ONEvcs · 07-05-2007, 10:51 PM

Special thanks from me to Dave and to all of you who represented so many of us.

Heavy-Dee · 07-05-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Thanks for sharing that Dave...it made my day, on a day that I needed a lift...

Yea thanks Dave. My brother just had his first kid. My great friend just left my home w/ his first kid, and the wife and I probalby aren't far from following w/ our own. With that in mind, I find what you wrote about Rich inspiring. It sounds cliche, but that's the best that I can describe it.

I think of my friends and how I love them and want to be like them. I think of my (unborn) children and my nephew(s) and want them to be like my friends. I want them to be more like my friends, than I am like my friends.

Rich is "that friend." Forever.

God Bless.

DEPO · 07-05-2007, 11:04 PM

Got home just now..... Bryan still has about 2 hours.... So if any of you are up still check on him.

Long ride, almost 500 miles of riding.... Evl-Twin, Leelover, thank you for letting me lead the ride up there... hope my MPH was not too fast.

Sorry I did not know such a hick state like Michigan would have that many Max and Irmas... of course we went to the only one that was not on the GPS (GT702).

I wish we get together again!

Heavy-Dee · 07-05-2007, 11:05 PM

To everyone that made it to the service:

There's not much more than I can say but "thanks". I'm grateful.

Leelover · 07-06-2007, 12:10 AM

I am in a hotel somewhere in southern Michigan. I was too whipped to make it very far. My thoughts and prayers are with Brian (evl twn), he has to be exhausted too, and he is still riding.

To say the memorial service was moving would be a gross understatement. The testimonies from Rich's daughters, wife, and of course, his friend Dave were awesome! We should all strive to leave such a legacy.

I am not going to try to claim to know Rich well at all. My only exposure to him was his posts here, a couple of PM's and a very brief meeting during the Monday morning track walk.

I don't know if I read this somewhere or if I am making it up, but I think the measure of a man can be found in the quality of character of those whose lives he touches and shapes. If I knew absolutely nothing of Rich Herald before that service, I still would have come away assured that he was a great man.

SomeStrangeGuy · 07-06-2007, 12:21 AM

Ok evl, where are ya?

evl_twn · 07-06-2007, 01:22 AM

Just pulled up, I think I put about 800 miles on today. What a blur the last couple days were. Dale (Leelover) stopped by on his travels Wednesday afternoon, spent some quality time with another member of the .org family! (hey maybe if you're here for another 4th of July, we'll figure out ahead of time where the fireworks are going to be!

). Dale and I were up around 5am, and out the door shortly after 6. Not a terribly early start, but we were up until around 1am, I was trying to get the last session ripped from tape. Hopefully I'll get them all posted tomorrow. We met up with DEPO in Valpo (sorry we were about an hour late

) and DEPO blazed a trail at ludicrous speed to get us there on time

The service was amazing, I can't add anything that hasn't already been posted, except another THANKS DAVE. Better words could not possibly have been spoken by Dave or Rich's family. THANKS.

abtech · 07-06-2007, 07:10 AM

Many thanks to all the members that attended (both in person and in spirit). It was a moving service to say the least and I was glad I was able to make it. After the fourth hymn (where everyone stood up), my back was toast and I had to beat a hasty retreat so I'm sorry I missed the get together after the service.

Even if I didn't know him, I would have to say that Rich touched many lives just by the sheer number of close friends at his memorial. The place was SRO before the service even started.

I was doing alright listening to Rich's daughters pay tribute to his life and his effect on them as a father and friend. I was still hanging in there when Linda reminisced about their life together, but when Dave got up and related the loss of his best friend, I totally lost it (even worse than Dave actually).

Rich, I am glad I had a chance to know you.

Shenders1 · 07-06-2007, 08:16 AM

Dave: As I wasn't able to stay for the service itself, I'm very glad you posted the content of your tribute. I found it very moving.

As I've told some of you previously, my contact with Rich, both online and in person, was brief, but he made a real impression on me. I was just as impressed with his family yesterday. In the midst of the most difficult circumstance any family can go through, each was gracious and attentive. As I talked with his Wife, I felt as if she was comforting me, rather than the other way around.

What a high-quality family, and what a testament to the Father and Husband Rich was. As has been said by several others, I'm very glad I had the chance to meet him, however briefly. This is a friendship I'm looking forward to resuming.

To all of you who made it (or just wished you could) yesterday: What a group! You folks are closer than some families! I look forward to getting to know each of you better over the coming years.

Leelover · 07-06-2007, 09:35 AM

Glad to hear you made it home ok, evl twn

800 miles in one day on about 4 hours sleep! The guy is a rock! I really enjoyed hanging around with he and appygirl, great people.

I also got a chance to meet shenders1 before the service, very nice guy!

It was a treat to ride with Depo and evl twn, though I wish it were to a different destination.

Pic one: some addicts after the service.
Pic two: the three steeds resting.
pic three: memorial footwear in honor of RAH-VFR

oldfogey · 07-06-2007, 10:44 AM

Honour to those who managed to get to the service, and thanks Dave for sharing your words.

RC51Mike · 07-06-2007, 11:01 AM

A very moving tribute Dave, and unfortnately read in my office so my colleagues all want to know what's wrong with me as I have only limited success at keeping my composure.

Let's hope we can all lose ourselves in the rhythm of that ride, chasing Rich around at the speed of light, knee down on the milky way, headed for home.

07-05-2007, 09:15 PM	#33
gt702 Gear Driven Cams Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): Some Hondas and a Kwacker Posts: 1,175	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service As others have said, it was a very moving and beautiful service. Rich touched many lives, and will be missed in person, but his legacy and memory will live on and people will smile when they remember him. Hammer, the flowers were excellent you did a great job. They were put right up front at the podium. It was good to see everyone that came up, your support for the family was very touching to me, so I'm sure it was to the family. Dave, what can I say ... I'm glad to count you as a friend, you really supported Rich's family in what I know is a very difficult time, and I know you'll be there for them as they adjust. Thank you. So, as we learned to day, I'll close with Rich's saying of "you can choose to be sad, or you can choose to be happy". I think we all know Rich's choice. __________________ Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. Albert Einstein

07-05-2007, 09:22 PM	#35
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 1,849	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Thanks for sharing that Dave...it made my day, on a day that I needed a lift... __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

07-05-2007, 09:23 PM	#36
gt702 Gear Driven Cams Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): Some Hondas and a Kwacker Posts: 1,175	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Dave, thanks for posting. All of the remembrances were wonderful, and yours did a great job of summing it up and looking forward ... which is difficult at times like these. __________________ Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. Albert Einstein

07-05-2007, 09:49 PM	#38
FrenchieR6 Live life to the fullest and smile while doing it Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Ohio Age: 41 Bike(s): R6 Posts: 2,442	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Dave, you are a wonderful friend. You couldn't have said it better...All of us that knows you are bless __________________ Fear and Distraction are the enemies of presence, and concentration is the cure. http://befit4riding.com/ http://www.apex2apex.net/ http://www.americanpowersport.com/

07-05-2007, 09:54 PM	#39
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 4,100	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service God bless all of you that were in attendance for your support for Rich's family. And Dave, thanks again for setting such a great example for all of us, of just what friendship means. We are all blessed to be part of your circle of friends. __________________ My Gallery

07-05-2007, 10:15 PM	#40
flipf4ipilot Join Date: 01-02-2007 Bike(s): CBR 600 F4i Posts: 130	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Kristie and I were talking on the way home how great the service was. Full house and not a dry eye there, proof of Rich's character. Good to see everyone.

07-05-2007, 10:16 PM	#41
Jetbdude #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 34 Bike(s): 07 600RR Posts: 2,630	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Just made it to my hotel room in Chicago. Yep, Chicago. I was getting ready to load my truck on Tuesday night when I had a phone call from my boss saying I had to be in Chicago by Friday. Call it luck, but I like to think it's something else...... So instead of driving my truck down I'm still riding around in the factory one.I was able to leave the factory at 4:00Pm yesterday and drove the 687 miles to the service. I unfortunately had to leave early to meet with a customer here tonight. So after another 300 miles here I am. I was amazed by Richard's family. They where so nice and looked really strong. It felt so good to see them. It was a bit hard and I was really nervous, It was bringing some pretty bad memories for me, but those feeling disappeared as soon as I was able to talk to Linda and her daughter. Best of luck to them on what will be a bumpy road for a while. It was nice to see all the members that could make it. Dale, hats off for being there. Seamus and Kathleen, I don't care what everyone is saying, you guys are good people Thanks for this morning. __________________ The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best everything that they have.

07-05-2007, 10:51 PM	#42
ONEvcs "Si vis pacem parabellum" Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Ft. Worth Age: 40 Bike(s): '05CBR1000RR. Posts: 2,655 Images: 99	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Special thanks from me to Dave and to all of you who represented so many of us.

07-05-2007, 11:04 PM	#44
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 732	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Got home just now..... Bryan still has about 2 hours.... So if any of you are up still check on him. Long ride, almost 500 miles of riding.... Evl-Twin, Leelover, thank you for letting me lead the ride up there... hope my MPH was not too fast. Sorry I did not know such a hick state like Michigan would have that many Max and Irmas... of course we went to the only one that was not on the GPS (GT702). I wish we get together again! __________________ Welcome to the Dance!

07-05-2007, 11:05 PM	#45
Heavy-Dee The Murph Join Date: 12-17-2006 Age: 31 Bike(s): 2004 GSXR 600 Posts: 2,778	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service To everyone that made it to the service: There's not much more than I can say but "thanks". I'm grateful. __________________

07-06-2007, 12:10 AM	#46
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service I am in a hotel somewhere in southern Michigan. I was too whipped to make it very far. My thoughts and prayers are with Brian (evl twn), he has to be exhausted too, and he is still riding. To say the memorial service was moving would be a gross understatement. The testimonies from Rich's daughters, wife, and of course, his friend Dave were awesome! We should all strive to leave such a legacy. I am not going to try to claim to know Rich well at all. My only exposure to him was his posts here, a couple of PM's and a very brief meeting during the Monday morning track walk. I don't know if I read this somewhere or if I am making it up, but I think the measure of a man can be found in the quality of character of those whose lives he touches and shapes. If I knew absolutely nothing of Rich Herald before that service, I still would have come away assured that he was a great man. __________________ "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

07-06-2007, 12:21 AM	#47
SomeStrangeGuy BMW Snob in Training Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Debt, where else? Bike(s): GS / KLR Posts: 4,058	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Ok evl, where are ya? __________________ Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums Time is the ultimate currency.

07-06-2007, 01:22 AM	#48
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,732	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Just pulled up, I think I put about 800 miles on today. What a blur the last couple days were. Dale (Leelover) stopped by on his travels Wednesday afternoon, spent some quality time with another member of the .org family! (hey maybe if you're here for another 4th of July, we'll figure out ahead of time where the fireworks are going to be! ). Dale and I were up around 5am, and out the door shortly after 6. Not a terribly early start, but we were up until around 1am, I was trying to get the last session ripped from tape. Hopefully I'll get them all posted tomorrow. We met up with DEPO in Valpo (sorry we were about an hour late ) and DEPO blazed a trail at ludicrous speed to get us there on time The service was amazing, I can't add anything that hasn't already been posted, except another THANKS DAVE. Better words could not possibly have been spoken by Dave or Rich's family. THANKS. Last edited by evl_twn; 07-06-2007 at 01:53 AM.

07-06-2007, 07:10 AM	#49
abtech Believe Join Date: 12-14-2006 Age: 59 Bike(s): 66 Puch Scrambler Posts: 3,446	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Many thanks to all the members that attended (both in person and in spirit). It was a moving service to say the least and I was glad I was able to make it. After the fourth hymn (where everyone stood up), my back was toast and I had to beat a hasty retreat so I'm sorry I missed the get together after the service. Even if I didn't know him, I would have to say that Rich touched many lives just by the sheer number of close friends at his memorial. The place was SRO before the service even started. I was doing alright listening to Rich's daughters pay tribute to his life and his effect on them as a father and friend. I was still hanging in there when Linda reminisced about their life together, but when Dave got up and related the loss of his best friend, I totally lost it (even worse than Dave actually). Rich, I am glad I had a chance to know you. __________________ Now in stereo AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . . and Seamus is awesome

07-06-2007, 08:16 AM	#50
Shenders1 2 Cylinders, 4 Valves, No Waiting Join Date: 01-14-2007 Location: South Lyon, MI Age: 43 Bike(s): Ducati HM Posts: 1,026	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Dave: As I wasn't able to stay for the service itself, I'm very glad you posted the content of your tribute. I found it very moving. As I've told some of you previously, my contact with Rich, both online and in person, was brief, but he made a real impression on me. I was just as impressed with his family yesterday. In the midst of the most difficult circumstance any family can go through, each was gracious and attentive. As I talked with his Wife, I felt as if she was comforting me, rather than the other way around. What a high-quality family, and what a testament to the Father and Husband Rich was. As has been said by several others, I'm very glad I had the chance to meet him, however briefly. This is a friendship I'm looking forward to resuming. To all of you who made it (or just wished you could) yesterday: What a group! You folks are closer than some families! I look forward to getting to know each of you better over the coming years.

07-06-2007, 09:35 AM	#51
Leelover Remembering RAH-VFR...RIP #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Fort Myers, FL Bike(s): 06 FJR1300 & 01 GSXR 750 Posts: 1,473	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Glad to hear you made it home ok, evl twn 800 miles in one day on about 4 hours sleep! The guy is a rock! I really enjoyed hanging around with he and appygirl, great people. I also got a chance to meet shenders1 before the service, very nice guy! It was a treat to ride with Depo and evl twn, though I wish it were to a different destination. Pic one: some addicts after the service. Pic two: the three steeds resting. pic three: memorial footwear in honor of RAH-VFR Attached Thumbnails __________________ "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

07-06-2007, 10:44 AM	#52
oldfogey Senior member Join Date: 12-14-2006 Location: St Albans, UK Age: 56 Bike(s): Honda VFR800i, BSA Posts: 1,247	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service Honour to those who managed to get to the service, and thanks Dave for sharing your words. __________________ Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt - Herbert Hoover

07-06-2007, 11:01 AM	#53
RC51Mike Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 51 Bike(s): BMW K1200S, RC51, Ruckus Posts: 43	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service A very moving tribute Dave, and unfortnately read in my office so my colleagues all want to know what's wrong with me as I have only limited success at keeping my composure. Let's hope we can all lose ourselves in the rhythm of that ride, chasing Rich around at the speed of light, knee down on the milky way, headed for home. __________________ 2001 RC51 2003 Ruckus 2006 BMW K1200S 1967 Plymouth Valiant (sold 1979) I needed a certain exhilarating milieu. There is nothing more exhilarating than philistine vulgarity. - Nabokov

07-06-2007, 11:19 AM	#54
Appygirl Join Date: 01-09-2007 Age: 39 Bike(s): MV Agusta Brutale Posts: 18	Re: Confirmed time and place for Rich Herald memorial service