Obituaries

My prayers and sympathy go out to Rich's family - Kay, Jill and Phil and their families. I knew Rich before he married my sister, Kay, in 1971, Over the years we became friends, and I always considered him the brother I never had. The Hocking family and my family spent many great times together. As our children grew up, got married and blessed us with grandchildren, the three of us continued to enjoy each other's company in Florida, at Snaptail Lake, as well as going to concerts and movies, reminiscing about growing up on the range and attending Hibbing High School. He was always very supportive of me during the ups and downs that I experienced in life and encouraged me to pursue my plans and dreams. That wasn't the expected role of a brother-in-law, but that was Rich. I will miss the "tests" that he often put to me about who sang what songs from our youth. His knowledge about that topic was encyclopedic. Mine wasn't, although I could sing a few bars for him if he got me started. We also challenged one another with vocabulary from time to time. It all started with "perseverate" and "bifurcate". Rich was by nature very analytical and pragmatic, as his profession required. But he also had a compassionate and generous side of which I was often the beneficiary, and his sense of humor could often sneak up on me. Rich was one to measure his words and could sometimes appear stoic, but there was never any doubt about how much he cared for his family and friends. We are all given a life to live, but his was too short. I will miss him. My love to you and your family, Carol