Discussion Topic |
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 7, 2008 - 12:16am PT
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this time close to home
many of you in JTree knew him
Gordon, watusi...he fixed our cars for years
today Rick Corbin,
long time hi-desert local and long time climber
died,
he was 45, had a heart attack, and passed away.
I just heard.
my best buddy - by a mile.
gone.
this is a tough one.
ka bam - done.
just like that...
folks - his wife Martha could use some support right now.
thanks,
Ray
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Ray,
So sorry for your loss and Martha's. RIP.
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Robb
Social climber
Pick Up Truck Heaven
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Truly sorry Ray...lost more than a few myself..don't have the words.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 12:40am PT
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thanks crusher
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 01:00am PT
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certainly a post I never thought I'd write...
called Steve Sutton, they were close.
we talked all the time,
he seemed fine, always in good cheer.
I don't know what else to say...
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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God Ray...I just got a call from a mutual friend in Josh, Mike Khondra, who had left a message on my folks machine. After he asked if I knew about the passing...It cut off and I didn't know who he was referring to until now. Shit! I had known Rick since I was a teenager in SD and he was a truly close friend. It got to be that we started looking so alike that people would mistake us for one another...God Bless him, this really sucks...
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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So young to be having a heart attack. My condolences Ray. Here's to a life of climbing and friends.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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My heart is heavy over his passing. I have climbed off and on with Rick over the years, and am friends with his wife and children. His daughter(Persilla) was one of my students (5th grade) a few years ago, and his wife Martha I've known dearly for years too....(She's awesome...) Last year on my birthday I had a boy's club only party;....Rick was over-generous, and gave me one of those huge green Camelots as a present.....Rick did repairs at discount rates for climbers over the last few decades....he's worked on all of my cars; even an engine rebuilt on one of my trucks. He was buddies with Steve Sutton , Ray Olson, Mike Paul, and the late Raleigh Collins, and was with Raleigh Collins the last few weeks of Raleigh's life....Rick was friends with everyone....... Rick was with me on one of my favorite First Ascents (Dos Chi Chis in the N. Wonderland, Mongolia)...one of the best moderate multi-pitch routes at Joshua Tree. , and also on the cool climb Hot Dog in a bun (5.10+) at Split Rocks. I remember seeing pictures of Rick and Sutton climbing in the Bugaboos. Rick was a very talented Karate expert, but never through his weight around . He was personal friends with Chuck Norris; I asked him once when Chuck's birtday was, and he said March 10th (this Monday)..I was really amazed that he knew by heart Chcuk Norris' birthday....He had cool pics of him and Chuck at this house...... He always had a positive word , and smile, and a warm hand shake. He battled with booze and depression, but always keep his big heart and spirit of adventure alive. He was a family guy, and even had his family members tatooed with cool tats on his legs. His bald head and pale blue eyes were always a welcome sight. I am so sorry to hear this news. He will be greatly miss by many who loved and respected him. A sad day for the climbing community,.... A sad day indeed.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Rick was a good guy. I'm really sorry to hear this.
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Double D
climber
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My heartfelt condolences to all of his family and friends.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 10:31am PT
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thanks all
Mike, Todd,
I feel better knowing you guys are there.
please do me the favor and look in on Martha
for me, will you?
Yeah, really young to be having a heart attack and
I spoke with him this week, sounding fine.
Rick always said he loved me like a brother,
all the time.
so sudden...
I can't leave to be there now but will show up in proper time,
and pay my respects then.
when I compose myself I'd like to write a few more things about Rick.
Ray
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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I would also like to offer my condolences to all the family and friends of Rick.
RIP
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SteveW
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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My condolences, Ray.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Sorry to read of this. Sudden passing's are so hard on loved ones, with no change to get one last show of love in before they go.
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spyork
Social climber
A prison of my own creation
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So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
Steve
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Redwreck
Social climber
Los Angeles, CA
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My condolences to all who knew Rick.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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God, another one. I didn't know Rick that well-- I think I first met him through Raleigh --but he struck me as a really good guy.
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Slakkey
Trad climber
From a Quiet Place by the Lake
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So Sorry to hear this. 45 is way to young to be gone.
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Ray, Todd, Watusi,Martha and Family,
So sorry to hear this heavy news...you guys are in my thoughs and prayers.
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L
climber
Malibu, baby....in a Cheetah shirt
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Dang Ray,
I am truly sorry to hear about the death of your friend. Sudden like this is just so hard to absorb, so hard to believe.
My heart goes out to you, Todd, Watusi and all of Rick's family and friends.
Laura
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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My condolences to the family and friends. That is very sad news indeed.
-Tom
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Terrible news: hang in there Ray.
Condolences to all who knew him.
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scuffy b
climber
up the coast from Woodson
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Ray, Mike, Todd...
It's way too young to go--especially someone so well loved.
Keep his love in your hearts.
Steve m
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Varied locales along the time and space continuum
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I'm very sorry to hear that... his passing is so unexpected. Sounds like Rick was well loved and loved back. Thoughts and prayers.
Fletch
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 05:10pm PT
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Corbin had this wreck of 60’s Plymouth Valiant.
Sometime in the 80’s – I think.
This ride was a junk yard god, dents rust, official Corbin installed bullet holes (who says Rick wasn’t artistic)
and a black and white bumper sticker that read
“Jane Fonda Traitor Bitch.”
No, he didn’t put that on there but left it on for street cred and wholesome suburban-style artistic value – that hi-desert thing…
Anyway, he built the car from junk ran like a bat outta hell - we’d haul ass out in the desert bald tires trunk loaded w/ beer and guns. Corbin knew all these places, he’d grown up there and it’s good there were no witnesses – my boom box, Rick’s .41 S&W mag and a cooler full of beer – full heavy metal debauchery, the kind good for the soul every now and then.
Oh, and the shotgun….can’t forget that.
Once and only once, with summer heat and hard alcohol involved – I was seriously worried about Corbin passing out at the wheel – the two of us laughing like maniacs in the middle of freakin’ nowhere and, I’m partly guiding the car w/ my left with Corbin trying to “revive himself” w/ a cold beer, nodding a bit while driving, more laughter…
Those roads,
I mean it was BITD ya know?
So as we charged across the desert some godforsaken dirt road – we’d dump the empties…down a hole in the passenger side floor, all the time! Hahaha! Rick knew some weird places man, one time we found these clothes and, wondered where the body was?
Yeah we had fun, fukcin’A, he really knew how to cut loose.
Truly an original, no fakiness no starch.
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L
climber
Malibu, baby....in a Cheetah shirt
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Sounds like good times, Ray. Let's hear more.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Sounds like a great, well-liked guy. Sorry to hear about this.
My condolences, may he rest in peace.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
Califlower/Utahlah
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This is a shocker...
I am going to miss him.
Sending Condolences,
Anastasia
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Well-done Ray...
Straight, uncut, right from the heart.
I hope that was just a taste.
Got any more Corbin vignettes?
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Sorry to hear this. Sounds like he was a nice guy who had some super friends.
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Gene
climber
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Ray,
Your loss screams loud and clear over this sometimes amzaingly inarticulate WWW. Godspeed to all! May you and all of Rick’s loved ones and friends find strength in your memories of him.
GM
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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I remember a lot about Rick as well...He was the personal driver and bodyguard for THE Donovon, for many years when he lived in the high desert...Rick was always way supportive of the bands that I was in, and always said he was "Our biggest fan!" and after a couple of bevvies he'd proclaim to some wank that: "You better like these guys, or else..."...One time when he was on the outs with his first wife he asked me and my wife at the time to go an off-road adventure up to Big Bear. He just happened to be driving her new Jeep Cherokee! On the way he made sure he hit every rut and pothole, and even jumped it! There was also a campground along the route that he made a stop at just to pop off a few hundred rounds...But when it came down to it he was a great guy and a true friend and really cared about people! I had just made the final break from my wife and was proceeding to drink myself into oblivion at the local watering hole and Rick caught wind of this...He'd call me up and say: "I've got my eye on you!" and occasionally stop in at the saloon and literally drag me out so that we could just be out of there and in nature. I'll really miss him and am sorry I didn't get to see him more before I left Josh...Love you man, and I'll be seeing you...
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 06:58pm PT
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At the top of the Prow, Corbin and I had enough weed for one more joint.
It was getting dark and a huge thundershower let loose – ok by us, Rick stretched the tarp produced a half gallon of water, seemed like right away. That rock up there, at the top of the cliff, the overhanging one that’s almost like a cave, we bivied dry.
Corbin decides to man up and roll the last joint. All eyes on Ricks fingers – raining like mad thunder lightning – it’s lookin good, my hand’s on the lighter, fingers tremble Rick! He blew it, weed goes flying...sh*t!...into a crease on my sleeping bag.
Corbin, berates himself for blowing the key operation of the entire weekend, hands me the papers, I spark a decent doobie – we smoke it. And the next day was brilliant clear and dry – late, we were late. But that was a cool bivi.
And only a few days before he died,
made sure I told him on the phone that
I loved him like a brother,
and would always love him like a brother,
to the end.
Those were my words.
Anyone seen my friend?
My great friend Rick.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there raydog.. say, so very sad to learn of the loss of your friend, and the man of a home-life... i will take care to pray for his family...
say, at times like this, remember the "net-work" even as you are doing... and all may take hands near, to care in whatever ways they can for the family... only loving guidance helps others cross such a hard river, to take rest of it all... then, one day, comes times to share, and healing...
god bless... and best wishes to you, and them...
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2008 - 10:31pm PT
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basically,
the question on folks mind might be, ok
so why did homie die?
only 45, wtf?
right?
Alcohol/drugs - drugs alcohol - overweight - overwork, incredible hard work, self assumed provider, that was his choice - to take all that on.
lotta guys got family tho, not dropping dead @ 45 for christ sake.
BITD - when Rick's drinking took on the harcore side and remember, always the binge, see, so part of the world don't see it - he started cycling (mentally, eg. rapid cycling) and he got in trouble, etc. Violence - it was booze all the way docs said: "your nuts, take these meds."
he was on the pharmies, plus recreational of unknown type/quantity...I mean the guy went on his birthday alone, right? what's that say??
so he'd binge out, bad - DUI, jail, house arrest.
Rick was a victim of his own sh#t. Period.
and one of the finest human beings I've
ever met. best friend I ever had.
that's the legacy
what we got to learn from.
he my bro, he went down.
now I learn.
that's why I said, "another one".
much appreciate all the sincere and thoughtful comments.
Ray
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Bump for Rick!
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survival
Big Wall climber
arlington, va
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So sorry to hear this guys.
Climbers are a hard driving bunch, on the good and the bad.
We've seen it a lot. I guess the best we can do is keep lovin' 'em and caring for 'em, and trying to get them to slow down on the rough spots if we can. Of course those were often the behaviors that drew us to one another in the first place so it's hard to get too "helpful" without coming across all wrong.
My condolences, to all Rick's friends.
Peace,
Bruce
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Kickin' it ol' skool one more tonight for my bro!
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 9, 2008 - 03:18am PT
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yeah might as well,
I'm cool w/ the whole thing now
it is weird Rick's gone and all,
no doubt.
it was cool knowing him and
getting the sense sometimes that
he was a pretty special guy,
with more brains than most would
recognize.
Rick was a really cool spirit force,
how 'bout the incredible things he'd say!?
it is weird Ricks gone and all and so,
I'm gonna turn up the Ozzy,
pack one more
spark it for Rick.
rest in peace bro.
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mister t
climber
nowhere special
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WOW, So sorry for you're loss guys. RIP Rick
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Ray,
Sorry to hear of the death of your friend. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends.
Rick
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:37am PT
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Sorry, just had to bump this one past "The quotable Chongo?" and the off the couch winter el cap festival...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:09am PT
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Memorial Services to be held Sat. , Mar, 15th 10 AM at Country Gospel Church 288 N Old Woman Springs Rd. Landers Celebration of life Party to follow at 2 PM 58770 Jerri Ln. , Landers. Potluck. Bring your favorite beverage. RIP, Rick my friend.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2008 - 12:50pm PT
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thanks Rick A - and thanks many others
for all the kind words, thoughts and all.
not sure what ol' Corbin was thinking,
dropping dead on us like that
havta give him sh#t about that...
ha! - got a feeling he's in a "different time zone" now...
heart of hearts I think Corbin and I both kinda believe(d)
in ghosts so, it'll be interesting if he shows up?
he loved the desert.
he loved his work, being in the shop, too.
loved his friends big time;
so -
here's one more for ya buddy!
I still love ya like a brother.
Ray
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Mar 23, 2008 - 02:02am PT
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Yeah...One more for my man...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Mar 23, 2008 - 05:04am PT
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Missed the funeral (Had promised to take a group of Boy Scouts cragging......prior commitment that Rick would have approved of......) Went to the "Celebration of Life" party afterward in Landers;......at some resident near Goat Mountain out by Giant Rock. The wind was blowing, and it was cold and wild......special weather for a wild and thoughtful man;......he wouldn't want no pussy weather, you know. There was a microphone, and people told stories of how Rick touched thier lives;....then there was grub and a huge bonfire. There was a slide show with many very cool pics of Rick;...I believe it was the same one they showed at the funeral. His climbing bros were represented by Big Al Bartlett, Clark Jacobs, Dave Mayville, Simon the Brit, myself, and a few others. There were cars everywhere at the service in Landers, I understand;....he was well loved and respected by many many people. His wife and kids talked of wanting to go climbing again;.....a way to remember Rick;...I promised to take them soon.........We all miss him......he was awesome.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 23, 2008 - 10:53am PT
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that's great Todd.
Sounds like a fine service.
Thanks for posting.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Mar 23, 2008 - 07:47pm PT
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Wish I could of been there for that...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Oct 23, 2008 - 09:09pm PT
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Martha Corbin;....keeping the climbing spirit of Rick alive;....busting a move out in N. Wonderland, Joshua Tree.
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noshoesnoshirt
climber
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Oct 23, 2008 - 09:40pm PT
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Never knew Rick, but my condolences and respect.
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