Farewell to an old friend ...

Farewell to an old friend ...

I heard today that an old friend passed away ... he was only in his mid 30s (Born in 72') ... had a terminal illness for years.  He was very private about it and I didn't know (I don't think many people outside of his immediate family did) that it had returned.  I post this here because Rick was a gamer ...  through and through ... dyed in the wool ... gamer.  He was mainly a mini game fan ... but he was an old time D&D player and an avid video game player as well. I met him through the Las Vegas Gamers Club ... he and I were basically part of the founding group.  We had a wonderful five year run as a club ... then people moved away and things sort of fell by the wayside.  I'd only spoken to Rick a few times since I left Las Vegas in 2009. 

He LOVED ... I mean dearly LOVED Games Workshop games ... particularly 40K.  I think they guy owned and fully painted to high tabletop standard ... damn near every army GW makes for both 40K and WHFB.  He was crazy for the stuff ... he'd buy an army ... paint it ... sell it off ... buy another ... lol.  Always so fun to shoot the shit about gaming with.  He really didn't care if he won or lost when you played against him ... he never lost his cool and got ticked about losing .. or gloated about winning ... he was really just in it for the fun and good times.  He could find the humor in a bad loss ... find humor in rolling 8 ones out of 9 dice (I witnessed him make that roll once btw) for a game losing round of close combat in a tournament.  When he won he was gracious.  He was quick to compliment people, quick to open a door, quick to pat someone on the back when they needed it.  When we had our first child he got a card and a heartfelt gift ... I mean none of my other gaming friends did anything like that and I didn't expect them too ... but Rick did ... he was that kind of guy.

He was one hell of a nice guy ... one of the nicest people I've ever known and I say that with all sincerity.  Always there to lend a hand, always willing to pitch in on gaming club activities, etc.  He was one of those guys who not to be cliche "would give you the shirt off his back" but really he was ... he could be down to his last five bucks and if you needed it ... he'd give it to you.  He was just a salt of the earth person just an amazing person.  He had a very young daughter and a loving wife.  It tears me up to know that his child won't know him and that he won't have a chance to see her grow up, go through school, go off to college, get married, have a career, kids, etc. 

Rick rest in peace man ... you will be missed ...