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Dear friends,
I will miss RD's memorial because I will be
out of the country. I am very sorry to have to miss it.
There are few of my friends who have all of his qualities.
I will really miss him. Please let me know if there is going
to be a memorial fund.
Sincerely,
Louis Reichardt
RD and I never climbed together but in the
brief encounters we experienced over years, I came to regard
him as a person with a huge heart and an abundance of all
that's best in those who test their minds and physical skills
on the great peaks. I last encountered him briefly at the
AAC annual gathering at Snowbird in February. We had only
a moment together, but we reminisced about our time together
at an AAC meeting a couple of years before. An extended
night of drinking with Allen Steck and Bill Long, made particularly
memorable by the fact Allen had received earlier than evening
a well deserved award for his role in American climbing/mountaineering.
I remember RD trying to convince me it was a mistake to
give up tackling the 8,000 meter peaks at our relatively
advanced ages. He made it clear that he would keep at it.
Despite the fact he didn't make it down from Makalu, who
is to say that his way was not best? At this point I don't
know whether I'll be able to make it on June 15th but wanted
you to know of my sentiments.
Jim Wickwire
I knew R.D. first through his cousin Tom Caughron,
down in Claremont CA [near Pomona], starting about 1970?,
and later, through the years, on his own, as a person: his
family life, his climbing life, his jobs and job searches.
On my most recent visit to him in the Berkeley
hill home, he was then [Spring 2001] planning to climb Kanchenchunga.
He introduced me to Mallory's grandson, and R.D. also showed
me a book about the few people who'd climbed all 14 8,000
meter peaks and another book about Wanda, a Polish climber
he'd climbed with in years past: apparently she'd tried
to climb Kanchenchunga, too, but never returned from that.
I was concerned for R.D. then, because his mood seemed almost
as if he half-hoped he might follow Wanda into the mountains
and also not come back. But he did come back from Kanchenchunga.
And this year, on a different peak, he followed Wanda into
the mountains.
There goes an 8,000 meter man; the only one
I knew, and a great guy, regardless of anything else.
Joe Sonneman, photographer
Juneau, Alaska
I will be unknown to you, but I was RD's Scout Master in
the late fifties in his home town of Manhattan Kansas. I
had lost track of him until last fall when he came to town
for a high school reunion. He dropped by and we visited
for several hours. I was completely unaware of his mountain
adventures--although I was aware of his adventurous spirit.
He e-mailed me a set of pictures from his last expedition
(before this one).
His parents are deceased, and his brothers have left town.
There are still many friends around, and it occurs to me
that none of them will be aware of his death. I would like
to get an obituary for the local paper. Has one been compiled?
I would appreciate it if I could obtain
it. I know he is survived by two brothers, Sam and Mike
and a daughter.
Thanks for letting me know. I am truly saddened, but I
can't help but believe that he is glad to be resting on
a high peak. I am glad for him, and for my chance to share
his love for adventure.
Sincerely,
Dean Bark
Dear Friends of RD:
The news of RD's death came as a shock. I did not know.
Thank you so much for contacting me. I had been planning
to get together with RD during a trip to the San Francisco
area next month. We usually got together about twice a year,
either when I was on the West Coast or when he was on the
East Coast. Now instead of spending a great evening with
him in his home on the hill it will be to say good-bye.
RD was instrumental in making sure our country's defense
forces were properly outfitted with modern cold weather
clothing and sleeping gear. All the soldiers and marines
owe a debt of gratitude to RD for his persistence and drive
to achieve this. It is ironical that he died from hypothermia,
after what he accomplished to ensure that the soldiers and
marines are protected
from hypothermia.
In the 80s, RD worked with Northface and led a program
to put modern cold weather clothing and sleeping gear onto
our defense forces. The old gear was the same inadequate
gear that resulted in thousands of cold weather injuries
during the Battle of the Bulge and Aleutian Island campaigns
of WW II and the Choson Peninsula campaign of the Korean
War. He overcame bureaucratic red tape, not-invented-here
syndromes, and other distractions to persist in forcing
the change to modern materials and designs. The resultant
gear enables the soldiers and marines to survive and be
safe in temperatures down to -70 degrees F.
He developed team of supporting colleagues in industry
and in the Government, focusing their efforts using his
charm and intellectual skills achieving the program goals.
We traveled with RD to Alaska, Vermont, and Norway as the
gear was tested and achieved success and support for adoption.
To obtain funding for the Government to buy and field the
new, modern gear, he worked with that support team to reach
out to Congress for directed appropriations.
RD knew of the dangers of hypothermia and made a tremendous
contribution to our National Defense. He persisted and achieved
success.
We will greatly miss RD.
Robert R. (Bob) Sarratt
Colonel, US Army
BEYOND SPACE AND TIME
My name is Jack Tackle. I was saddened by your news
of RD 's death.. I didn't know him very well, but always
talked to him at the AAC meetings, which was my only contact
with him through the years...Please give my condolences
to his family and friends....I will be in Alaksa climbing
on June 15th and I'll raise a glass..
Sincerely, Jack
My meeting with R.D at San Francisco Airport with Allen
Steck after nearly 14 years had been in making for several
months. In fact I can say he was one of the moving spirits
behind my recent trip to North America. He kept prodding
me to make the visit happen till I agreed to go on this
long promotional journey. Now I feel as if the sole purpose
of my North America visit was to have a last meeting with
RD himself. He was the kind of man you remained close to
despite living apart without communicating, without writing
letters. You never had distance between you if RD was your
friend. This feeling was fortified during my stay at San
Francisco. There was no sense of the time we had not met
for. Living across oceans on two opposite ends of the globe,
there was no sense of the intervening geography. Strangely
I was feeling the distance from my family. With amazing
perceptiveness he offered me access through his earthlink
account to make me feel at home while in North America.
He always came forward, never waited for the other to reach
him. This widens one’s humanity, one’s accessibility.
It is a rare dimension of relationship in which time and
space become irrelevant. And now that R.D is beyond both,
I have this sudden realization, I am living in a limited
world.
Nazir Sabir
Hello Friends of RD,
RD was a valued friend and much revered, ten year member
of the Berkeley Breakfast Club. I am planning to come to
the memorial and I am sure other club members will come
as well.
I would be glad to help if I can provide any meaningful
service. Let me know.
Best regards,
Fred Fassett [mail to:fredf@generalprint.com]
The General Printing Company,
Berkeley, CA
510-548-2201
I am so very sorry - and shocked - to hear this news.
I spoke to Mr. Caughron just before he left and he told
me of his trip at some length. I was very impressed
and never even considered that something so terrible might
happen. Please send my deepest condolences to Mr.
Caughron's family.
Sarah R. Thomas, Esq.
Administrative Law Judge
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue, # 5021
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-2310
srt@cpuc.ca.gov
Hello,
And thank you all for putting together the touching memorial
web site for RD.
In August of 1991 a climbing partner of mine, Linda D'Evelyn,
and I hooked up with RD and his longtime buddy, Gerry Dienel,
to climb the Schwarz Ledges
route on Mount Robson.
I believe this was RD's last unsuccessful attempt (of many)
before finally summitting a year or two later. We were turned
around about 200 feet below the summit.
Although RD and I clicked marvelously, this was the only
climb I ever did with him. (Of course, I went to his slide
show parties when invited and met him at Raleigh's for a
beer and a burger on occasion.)
Two points that I remember from this climb were:
a.) that the four of us had to bivy on the day of our summit
attempt
b.) when coming down off the mountain, at RD's asking, I
expressed no regrets at failing so high up. He said, "you've
learned a valuable lesson. You always want to live to climb
another day." (RD was 10 years older and a much
more experienced climber than I)
I have a number of slides from this climb. A few are copies
that were exchanged between Gerry, Linda, RD and myself.
I scanned 25 of them yesterday. At the detail level that
I scanned them, they are in the 500-800K size range. They
are .jpg files.
I will include a favorite with this email. If there is interest
in more information or images let me know.
Thanks again so much for organizing this entire memorial
event.
Joe Byrnes
San Francisco
Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately Liz and I will be
in Spain on the 15th. But we will raise a glass to RD there.
God rest his soul.
All The Best,
Royal Robbins
Although I was never fortunate enough to have
climbed with RD outside of the gym, I was touched by his
life as I am sure many others were. He had a profound
knack for organizing great parties at his house and being
the most entertaining host, engaging with anyone and everyone
at his friendly home in the hills. Later, when I had
my own parties at my home, RD would be the first to arrive,
and the last to leave, having thrilled everyone with his
charm and laughter. When he asked me to head the Sierra
Nevada Section of the American Alpine Club, I felt
very honored to accept, and I am still serving in that
capacity because of him.
Ultimately, he was a hero to my wife, Heather, and myself
for his resounding victories in the higher peaks of the
world, and at a fairly late juncture in his life.
We plan to copy his regimen and not climb 8000 meter
peaks till we are 50 years old.
RD sent us a postcard from his last trip in which
he seemed overjoyed to be in the big mountains. His
last two words to us were ... "loving it".
Steve Schneider
I took these pictures the last time I visited RD in June
2000. R Spurrier, C Jones and RD met to climb at Turtle
Rock on a beautiful Saturday afternoon that month while
I enjoyed the view.
I was with RD on a number of adventures decades earlier
to include:
1. 1972: Cathedral Peak ascent, Yosemite; RD Caughron
& P Finsness; RD always introduced me as his partner
on the first climb he led.
2. 1972: Mt Shasta ascent; RD Caughron, L Wilson,
P Finsness.
3. 1973: Mt Rainier ascent; RD Caughron, S Henke,
J Van Doren, Paul Finsness, et al.
4. 1977: Mt Assiniboine trek; RD Caughron, S Henke,
and P Finsness.
5. 1977: Mt Assiniboine ascent; RD Caughron and S
Henke.
6. 1978: Yosemite ski tour; RD Caughron, S Henke,
P Finsness, et al.
Best wishes for the memorial gathering for RD on the 15th.
I regret not being able to come to California to attend.
-Paul F
From Oct 85 to Oct 88, as a British Royal Marines Officer,
I was on a PEP (Professional Exchange Programme) with SEAL
Team TWO at USNAB Little Creek in Virginia Beach, VA.
In Mar or Apr 87, I met RD at the Ranger Mountain Training
Centre in Dahlonega, GEORGIA. We were attending a Cold Weather
Clothing and Equipment conference. He had just retired from
his job as the Military Sales representative for The North
Face. Although my climbing experience was less than his,
we hit it off because of our shared knowledge of cold weather
equipment and clothing, and our love of the mountains and
snow covered places. I tend to specialise in nordic-style
mountain touring.
I never met any other members of RD's family, but he recently
sent me a picture of his daughter. Mostly, we shared annual
newsletters around Christmas each year, a real treat worth
waiting for. A couple of times, RD used his contacts at
TNF to get me "Goretex Clothing" and a new vestibule
for an old North Face tent. This last item was quite recent,
just before his Makalu trip. My last e-mail to him was sent
on 9 April, asking how his trip had been. Sadly, I now know
the answer. How did he die?
I am currently living in southern Norway, still in the
Royal Marines, but working for NATO in the Stavanger HQ.
I move to Italy with my family on 27 June (This e-mail address
will terminate a few days before), but other e-mail address
is somefrog@hotmail.com.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the funeral,
but please pass on my sincere condolances to all of his
family. If a history of RD's Adventures is produced, I would
really like to purchase a copy. Also, rather than sending
flowers, I would like to donate a small sum of money into
an appropriate charity or fund - is this possible?
Sincerely
Andrew Ebbens
In July 1999 my friend Val and I were adventuring in the
hills behind Robson. After a long hike past Emperor Falls
on the Berg Lake trail we made camp and began supper preparations.
Shortly after, a rag-tag bunch of weary looking men straggled
through our campsite. We chatted with the first ones through
but had a lengthier conversation with the last who joked
about staying for supper. He was a little worse for wear
and looked ready for a sleeping bag. . .my first encounter
with RD.
Two days later, after a restful day around the Lake, Val
and I hiked up to Snowbird Pass. As we descended the pass
we were in high spirits, bounding from rock to rock, laughing
recklessly, and chatting with each other. Then off to our
left appeared Randy (Spurrier) and the Jerrys. We were promptly
invited for popcorn that evening and continued on our merry
way.
Next appeared RD. Yup, he was in rough shape with blisters
after hiking up to the Tea House at Lake Louise a few days
before. Val and I got a kick out of his condition when he
told us he'd attempted Robson a couple of times. We couldn't
believe the Tea House 'stroll' had left his feet in such
bad shape! But his spirits were high and we stopped for
a photo with him. He reminded us about the first night and
said he'd seriously thought (as did the three who'd passed
us earlier) about planting himself right there and enjoying
our company for the evening. Val and I were dubbed the Doublemint
twins by the guys throughout that trip.
We showed up for the popcorn that evening, and met up the
next morning on the trail as we all returned to our vehicles.
RD bought us drinks while we agreed on a dinner destination
after cleaning up. It was a memorable evening at Earl's
in Jasper over wine and a scrumptious meal.
This brief encounter in the mountains made a deep impression
on me; a memory I cherish. I was deeply saddened upon hearing
of RD's death. I appreciated RD's infectious laughter, sense
of humor, and light-hearted outlook on life. I respected
his mountaineering accomplishments, but still giggle at
the thought of this hearty man struggling after a trip up
to a tea house in the Canadian Rockies. I appreciated RD's
love for the outdoors and agree that it was only fitting
that he breathe his last surrounded by awesome beauty. My
thoughts and prayers go out to his family and good friends.
Jennifer Dueck, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Very Sorry, and I send my condolences from Kangchenjunga
basecamp in East Nepal.
Thank you very much.
I await your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Dan from Himalaya Incorporated
Please visit us on the web at http://www.himalayaclimb.com
Email: himalayainc@earthlink.net
Telephone: 206-329-4107
Postal Address:
1304 East Harrison Street
Number 8
Seattle, WA, 98102
We are greatly sorry about the death of our friend RD.
We made an acquaintance with him during the expedition to
K2 at 1996.
We spend together 2 months, neighboring in the base camps
and sharing all the problems that had to solve during climbing.
We remembered RD as a strong climber and a very pleasant
person with a good sense of humor. We so sorry that will
not meet him in the mountains again.
Vladimir Iudin
Oleg Meshkov
Vladimir Zirakovsky,
Novosibirsk, Russia.
I believe it was 1998 when another climber and I were heading
up to the Hotlum-Bolam Route on Mt Shasta to set up our
base camp.
We spotted a couple of people coming down, hurrying to their
car and carrying large packs. It was
RD and Randy, having climbed Shasta on the previous
day.
I introduced my friend and we began to engage in small
talk, whereupon RD sat down in the snow and began unpacking
his stove and food bag to brew up some hot chocolate for
us. There was really no reason at all to do this, but he
absolutely insisted, which was typical of his generous nature.
I will really miss all of the slide parties and friendly
gatherings at #2 Del Mar!
Tony Watkin
I am attaching a couple of pictures
of RD from our back-country ski trip in Yosemite this winter
with Chris Jones. RD had barely slept in three nights because
of a too-light sleeping bag; he had fallen gashing his forehead
wide open; his feet were a bloody mess from blisters --
and he's grinning like a banshee (as he had the whole trip).
Other memorable trips with RD, many of which you [Randy]
were along on, include:
- A long weekend of climbing in Joshua Tree in March 1999
including being baby sat by Jim Bridwell
- A wonderful weekend climbing Cathedral Peak and The
Great White Book with Tom Frost a couple of summers ago.
- Several Yosemite weekends with great climbs and greater
socializing; I remember particularly - Randy teaching
RD how to woo a girl!
- Great days on the ski slopes of Sugar Bowl, Kirkwood
and Squaw
- A million evenings in the gym listening to RD complaining
about the overhanging walls!
- Burgers and Merlot at Ginger Island; Tacos and Margueritas
at Picante
I miss RD a whole lot; he was a true and loyal friend.
Rick Millikan
Yes, Jerry, I remember you. Didn't you come on a trip with
RD, me and others to the back (West) side of the Ritter
Range?
Thanks for Sam's and Susie's address.
The home in Mariposa served a good purpose for quite a
number of years. Then Ira and I sold it. I put my share
of the money into my present home at the northern tip of
Hawaii Island.
Sorry, I can't be there for the memorial, but I must remain
here isolated in tropical beauty, caring for my outdoor
plant nursery. Please offer my love, support, and regards
to all at the memorial.
Sam and Susie: I jsut want to tell you how much I appreciate
how open you all made your house to me during those days
on Walnut St. It REALLY means a lot to me, and I am truly
grateful to you two as well as RD.
I just wanted to share the following thoughts with all
of you who know and loved RD. They reflect today's state
of my mind and heart:
The news of RD's death has hit me particularly hard. Except
for my mother's passing which was expected, RD's death is
certainly the one that has come closest to home for me.
He befriended me shortly after my own return from climbing
in Afghanistan in 1974, and I was a frequent visitor to
his household in Berkeley in 1975-6. During that time he
and I collaborated on the Yosemite Master Plan which ultimately
was instrumental in helping me to recover from the culture
shock that I experienced trying to adjust life back in California.
We did quite a number of minor trips to the mountains in
the years before I moved to Hawaii. Even after that, whenever
I went to the Bay Area, I'd try to see him. (My daughter,
Briana, now nearly 8 years old, met him twice.)
The day after I got the news of his passing, I carried
the news around heavily all day; in the late afternoon,
I broke down and cried for about ten minutes. My daughter,
Briana, came to me and asked what was wrong. I told her
(again), "My friend, RD, died in the mountains, and
I'll never see him again." She understood.
I will always remember him for is generosity to me and
for his enthusiasm for the mountains and or mountaineering.
Though I rarely saw him in recent years, I know my life
is much diminished by his passing. I wish all of you who
were also his friends to be well and to honor him too.
I took the attached photo of him at the climbers' reunion
that I attended in Yosemite in 1999. I would appreciate
it if someone, perhaps Sam or Susie, could read my words
here and/or the attached poem.
I've also attached a photo of myself and my daughter, Briana.
Love to All,
Ken Boche
I know that RD understood that high-altitude mountaineering
was dangerous and that the risks could not be controlled
... but you know who was RD for me. I cry and I don't stop
to cry. I don't know what to write. His last email to me
was 1 day before his departure to Makalu and I had invited
him to climb with me the next year (21 July 2002) in Dolomites
for my 25th Anniversary of climbing on mountains. I have
lost the partner for the next year, I feel alone. I have
lost my best friend. I would like to be there with all friends.
I would like to be on Makalu ... to do what?
I feel alone.
I try to be with you climbing on Dolomites. If you read
my attachment during memorial for RD it would be great pleasure
for me.
Ciao
Marco Berti
Venice, Italy
-------------------------------------
Like on Dhaulagiri in 1994, like in Yosemite
in 1999.
“Good morning, RD!”
“Fuck you, Marco!”
“I love you, RD!”
Today on top of the Antelao, “the King
if the Dolomites”, I am alone.
I am thinking about RD, a beer in my hand.
“Ciao, RD!”
“Fuck you, Marco!”
“I love you, RD! Here’s to you! You’ll always
be with me. Fuck you, you
shouldn’t have left me!”
“Marco! Chin up!”
“OK RD! Chin up, thanks!”
Marco Berti
June 15th , 2002
Hello and Greetings from New Zealand,
To everyone who has gathered together to respect RD, I
send to you all my warmth and light. I just met RD last
year in Kathmandu, just prior to our leaving for Kanchanjunga.
I was with my 2 climbing partners, Hector Ponce de Leon
and Araceli Sagarra, with whom we were to share BC with
Piotr and his team. We were to climb on the mountain as
separate teams but enjoy the solace of BC together as one.
This is when I got to know RD. RD loved being in the hills. He
loved the excitement of Himalayan expeditions and just being
on them made his day to day city life shine a bit more.
He was getting older each time he went out to the 8000 meter
mountains. He did just OK on Kanchanjunga, which should
have been a message to his heart, but one can never judge
another soul when it comes to climbing in the Himalayans.
These mountains calls us like nothing else. When you listen
and act upon this calling and follow your heart to these
mountains, then my friends, you are at peace with the world.
This is the image that I have of RD. May he rest in peace
forever more because he has completed a wonderful journey
in the mountains and in the horizontal world upon this earth.
I do have wonderful photos of RD while in KTM, BC and while
climbing on Kanchanjunga, but unfortunately I am back living
in New Zealand and my gear is in Colorado. Having full
custody of my children back to me, guiding around the world
from here and hoping to get back to Colorado this August
to ship all my gear to NZ.is my calling for now. This
is where the slides are of RD, safe and sound in a garage
in the Rocky Mountains. I will be guiding Cho Oyu again
in August and will find those slides and send then to you
Jerry. My children and I send all of our best to everyone
who new RD and may this celebration on the 15th June be
the day that he looks down upon us and smiles with his touching
laughter. Take care to all. Cheers, Marty
Marty Schmidt, MSIG
Memories of R.D.
Our fondest memories of R.D. recall the thoughtful, compassionate
support that he gave our family after the death of our 17-year-old
son and brother Erik, at Horse Tail Falls in the Desolation
Wilderness. R.D identified Erik's passion for the wilderness
with his own and delivered a very personal and reverent
tribute to Erik at his Memorial Service. In an effort to
distract us from our grief, R.D. took our family on a camping
trip to his beloved Yosemite. He took climbing gear enough
to show then 15-year-old Brock and 12-year-old Tor some
climbing basics and then led us to one of his favorite spots,
Mathis Lake.
There, the Golden Trout jumped to Brock's hooks and we
added trout to our dinner menu.
Recognizing the presence of hungry bears in the area, R.D.
instructed us to store our gourmet food supplies between
trees at some distance away from our camp site. This saved
us from direct confrontations with the bears, but some clever
bear figured out the engineering of our stash and taught
us the feeling of intense hunger the next day. Instead of
steak, eggs, sausage, coffee and hot chocolate for breakfast,
we had to hike out with only the bear's rejects to share
among the five of us: a stick of celery and a green pepper,
memorably imprinted with the teeth marks of the bear.
By Vali, Bill, Brock & Tor Roberts
Dear Family and Friends of RD:
Your message "RD died on April 26, 2002, at Makalu"
is mournful beyond words. I would like to express my deepest
sympathy with the family, especially with Heather.
For me, a twelve years lasting friendship has come to a
sudden end.
I got acquainted with RD in 1990 in Pakistan / Karakoram.
Both we were members of the Polish International Expedition
to Gasherbrum II at that time. My German friend and I took
RD into our team; we climbed G II together and we became
friends. (I sent a lot of slides of that expedition to RD.)
Since that time we kept in touch and were in a lively,
exciting correspondence. In 1999 we met for the last time,
when RD visited me at Türkenfeld (Munich area). The
last postcard of RD I received from Kathmandu,
dated March 29, 2002.
Next year I will retire, and looking forward to the future,
I have already planned a visit to RD at Berkeley in summer
2003...
Now it is all over. Nevertheless, many great and deep experiences
with RD will be kept in my mind.
My thoughts will be at the memorial for RD in Kensington,
California, on June 15, and I will join you from Munich,
Bavaria, in raising a last glass of wine in tribute to our
beloved RD.
Best wishes
Peter Brill
Environmental Affairs
81663 Munich
Germany
Peter.Brill@eads.net
My first ever backcountry ski trip in the Sierra was with
RD in 1978. I was just learning and I remember RD pointing
this out to me! More ski tours with RD followed over the
years. I was on Dhaulagiri in 1994 when RD summited.
I remember how strong he was on his summit day and also
remember the shared dinners we had at basecamp. I will miss
him.
Rich Henke
I have many memories of RD, from summits to barrooms and
other places not appropriate to mention. His infectious
enthusiasm was always present and his off-the-wall sense
of adventure provided many hilarious episodes. One of the
funniest was the time we tried returning from Boundary Peak
by driving over the road that goes along the shore of Mono
Lake. The two flaws in the plan were that it was winter
(the road is not plowed), and that we were in RD's old low
slung hatchback. Surprisingly, we made it more than half
way before being halted by an impenetrable snow drift. Pushing
the car out and spinning it around on the slippery road
in utter darkness while convulsed in laughter is one of
the many memories of RD that I will always cherish.
Bruce McCubbrey
We are sorry that we will not be able to attend R.D's memorial
service. We like you feel that a part of our lives is gone
but not lost.
In R.D's word "Hell, we weren't just school mates,
we were block mates... sort of a neighborhood gang as I
recall..." R.D. and myself (Tony Porter) went to both
grade school and high school together and lived one block
apart. Bob Bammes, the other member of the neighborhood
gang lived two blocks from R.D. and went to school with
R.D. from the third grade on.
Our adventures were not to unusual but to us three they
were adventures and they were our adventures. In later years
we enjoyed R.D.'s adventure stories.
The last time we all got together was at our 40th class
reunion. It was a great time and many stories were shared.
R.D. will be with us in our memories but he will also be
sorely missed.
Tony and Kay Porter
Bob and Bonnie Bammes
I have a small consulting practice in market research and
planning and am based in Cambridge, MA. In the fall of 1993,
I was working with a large, local financial services firm
who asked if I knew or could find a counterpart on the West
Coast. Networking with my friends Nancy Dyar and Tom Higgins,
I called RD. We had a lengthy and lively conversation and
decided that he was the right person should the client follow
through on their request.
Unfortunately, the client never followed through on their
request, and I never met RD.
Fortunately for me, however, we developed a wonderful friendship
of our own anyway. Starting in 1993, I added RD to the Christmas
card list for my business. Annually, since starting my business
in 1988, I send a simple, homemade Christmas card and seem
to have developed a small following. RD was among those
who always responded appreciatively. Sometime in February,
or March, or even April each year, I would get a short note
from him. As the years went on, I would learn increasing
bits of personal information especially about the mountains
and his next pursuit. In 1997 or so I received, guess what,
a spoof cover of the National Geographic with a note saying
something to the effect that he’d never had a correspondence
so long with someone he’d never met!
I was deeply saddened by Nancy’s reply a month ago
when I asked her if RD was all right because I hadn’t
heard from him this year. I have been thinking of making
a trip to California this fall to see my nephews and friends,
and I was hoping to finally meet RD.
I send my heartfelt condolences to his daughter, Heather,
his brothers, and his close friends. Please forward any
suggestions regarding donations that can be made in his
memory.
The web site is wonderful. Thanks to those who set it up.
I will fondly think of RD this afternoon (evening for me)
as his family and his many thoughtful friends, from around
the world, stop to pay tribute to him and to affirm that
we will remember him always.
Judy Campbell
113 Chilton St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
Campbell99@attbi
RD was a very valuable part of the American Alpine
Club, and he served the world climbing community in many
ways for many years. He always pitched in to help with events,
offered his home to guests from all over the world, and
was always willing to speak up and take action whenever
he felt it was necessary to make a difference. He was a
passionate spokesperson about Camp 4 and its crucial role
in the history of climbing in Yosemite.
RD was the kind of person who could light up a room with
his presence. He will be greatly missed.
Linda McMillan
I'm sorry to have missed the memorial service. I am not
always up to date on reading periodicals, and CAL Business
is normally not high on the list. I met RD when we were
at UC in the then un-named graduate school of business,
so I guess it must have been 1973 or maybe late 1972. It's
hard to believe 30 years have passed since then. Unlike
many of the others who shared their thoughts on the site,
I'm not a climber. Not that RD didn't try. I did get dragged
on a trek up to Tuolome Meadow when I was still in Berkeley.
We went with Sue and another couple, I can't remember their
names. Anyway, I think my gasping and wheezing convinced
him I just wasn't suited for that sort of thing.
Still, we stayed friends. I was also a sometime member
of the Walnut Street Irregulars, and did manage the strength
to go as far as the Blind Lemon. This trip was the result
of a now outdated minimum distance law of bars from campus.
We kept up after I got my MBA, and even though I was back
east and not a climber. One of the best things about RD
was that he could find something to like about just about
anyone, and had the rare gift of making others feel they
were the most interesting person. I did stop by the place
in the hills. I will remember that view for a long time.
However, what I most admired about RD was that he lived
his life on his terms. The last few years, we just sent
notes back and forth at the holidays. I shall miss getting
a letter's worth of information crammed onto a postcard,
and more will I miss the man who wrote them.
Steve Epp
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