Joan Paulson's Memories of Rick
Rick was one cool dude. As the first trudger wife, Rick accepted me as one of the
gang like all the other trudgers. All of the girls liked Rick. I told Rand and
Todd the day Rick died that all the female angels in Heaven are rejoicing now that Rick
is there. I hope he doesn't cause too many angels to fight over him.
One of my first memories of Rick was his t-shirt that said YAB YUM. There were a few
times that we saw him where he was always wearing this shirt. He was still going to
school then. I would tease him about only having one shirt to wear. If he couldn't
afford to shop at Dayton's he could go garage sale-ing. I think this started our joking
and flirting stage. We joked around that we were having a secret affair behind Randy's
back. It was always in fun. It takes a very special friendship to be able to joke
like this and not hurt anyone. If Randy or Todd couldn't get in touch with Rick, I
would say, "I'll call and leave a sexy message and Rick will call right back."
This, of course, always worked. The last time we were planning a get-together was
right before we moved to Tennessee. In case Rick wasn't home, I called to leave a
cute message. This time, however, Rick was home. I said that he wasn't supposed
to be home so I could leave a message. Rick's reply was that I owed him one.
Sadly, I haven't been able to do that.
I remember when Randy and I were expecting our first child. Rick kept asking when
little Richard was going to be born. Ger and Todd wanted him to be named after them
also. They would sit and try all the combinations such as: Richard Gerald Todd,
Gerald Richard Todd, and Todd Richard Gerald. We decided to name the child Steve.
Steve became the first junior trudger. He can't wait to go trudging. I think they
thought they had another chance of having a child named after them, when we had another
child. We decided to name this child Shane so we would not hurt Rick or the other trudgers.
Another funny memory of Rick was at the wedding of Ger and Peg. Rand and I had
picked up a tank of helium to fill balloons. We had the tank in the Thrond's
garage. Rick would inhale some helium and talk. He sounded so funny with his high
squeaky Mickey Mouse voice.
Rick could find humor in any situation. Shortly after Rand had hurt his fingers on the
tablesaw, we had a get-together at Todd and Pam's. Rick sure found humor in this with
some funny jokes like bring out the finger sandwiches.
I have always been a little envious of Rick and the trudgers. They have had such
a strong friendship since Jr. High. My family moved around alot, so I don't have
a bond like that. It is very special. I have always thought of Rick and the other
trudgers as brothers. This makes Rick's death so hard.
I will always remember March 17, 1996. We were getting together one last time before
our move to Tennessee. Little did we know that it was our last get-together with Rick.
I am so thankful for that time that we had together that day. I am also glad
that we could be at the hospital with him that day. I take comfort in that we knew
the staff that took care of him in the Emergency Room.
I will close with a limerick.
There once was a guy named Rick
Who made all the girl's lovesick
He once drove to Owatonna
Where now he is agonna
But he'll always be cool dude Rick.
I miss you Rick!!!!!