Rich only died less than two years ago. That's not a very long time at all. Anyone who has been here only since the short time he was taken from us really, truly missed an amazing human being. His humanity, amazing sense of humour, kindness, and kind-heartedness are sorely missed. Rich's death was a devastating blow.

I  voted no on taking his pic down, but I can see both sides, too. I can understand that those who didn't know him and/or weren't here when he was might not understand his significance to gstwins...and might not understand the depth of loss we felt (and still feel). And I understand that some feel that looking at his pic is living in the past. We all deal with grief and memories differently.

Seeing Rich's beautiful face when I log in each time reminds me of his life and how fully he lived it. He loved the Baby G, and he loved this site. Whatever appropriately keeps his memory and contributions to GStwins alive...that's what I support.

I know that life marches on....it simply marches on faster for some of us than others.



I'm not ashamed to admit that I still mourn his loss and have a hard time letting go of his picture at the top of GStwins. Maybe it's a little tougher at the moment because it's close to the anniversary of his death.


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As for feelings toward the bureaucracy of GStwins.... in my humble opinion, that's not even worthy of being in the same discussion when talking about the memory of a dearly-beloved late member.

I never got the chance to talk with or meet Rich, but I have read numerous posts of his and can grasp that his death was a serious loss to this community.  I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum.  On another note, I would like to point out the many members we have lost not to unfortunate incident but to the bureaucracy here.  Though it is an entirely different loss, I miss the banter of members such as Egaus, NGFL, Alpha and Rvertigo not to mention AJ.

So his picture is gone from the forum for good ?

Could we please have a page dedicated to him and/or other riders, with links to the rest of the forum, for the folks that want to live -the-way-things-used-to-be- ? Please ?

Quote from: spcterry on May 28, 2008, 08:02:52 PM
I never got the chance to talk with or meet Rich, but I have read numerous posts of his and can grasp that his death was a serious loss to this community.  I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum.  On another note, I would like to point out the many members we have lost not to unfortunate incident but to the bureaucracy here.  Though it is an entirely different loss, I miss the banter of members such as Egaus, NGFL, Alpha and Rvertigo not to mention AJ.

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I deleted my post cause im drunk and forgot what thread im in. as far as the pic goes post a sticky with our falen riders. IO didnt sighn up til later but I did read witgh rich posting and knew him uhhh cyberglty but thats all and know what you guys feel but I dont feel pain or sadness its not a trit I have Im as cold as a rock and see more what the othjer side is feeling but hey now that the pics is gone the site looks empty we need a GS of the month maybve Mach1s

I haven't logged onto the site much at all since Rich passed away... Pandy brought this to my attention and so I thought I'd give my two cents for what it's worth. I knew Rich pretty well and had the pleasure to go on a few rides with him and also spend time with him outside of riding as well. He was an amazing guy, and he did alot for this site.

This is really tough... re-reading all these posts brings everything rushing back like it just happened yesterday.    I have mixed feelings about it, but knowing Rich as I did, I don't think he would want us to constantly mourn him. He was a very happy go lucky kind of guy, and he would want us to keep moving forward. I can understand why some people want it taken down... I can see why they don't want to have such a constant reminder of such a tragedy every time they log onto the site. I am sure there are others who have sadly passed as well that haven't gotten the recognition they deserve, which may offend some people in that regard.

Rich was an exceptional man and I truly believe that those who knew him and were close to him, regardless if that pic stays up or is removed, will always remember him and he will always live in our hearts and thoughts. I think a memorial page for fallen riders would be a great idea... for those that want to read them when they need to.

Rich will always be loved and honored... with or without the pic up... that will never die.

Quote from: LadyJules31 on June 01, 2008, 10:50:22 AM
Rich will always be loved and honored... with or without the pic up... that will never die. 

So very, very true, and such wise words.....all of them. Thank you, LadyJ.  *HUGE HUGs*

Quote from: ohgood
Could we please have a page dedicated to him and/or other riders, with links to the rest of the forum, for the folks that want to live -the-way-things-used-to-be- ?

Quote from: mach1
as far as the pic goes post a sticky with our falen riders.

Quote from: spcterry
I think there should be something to honor him and other fallen riders, just not at the top of every page in the forum. 

Quote from: birdman
Other boards I have been on that had similar members who passed maintain a memorial page and a link from the main page.

If a memorial page is wanted then why doesn't someone create a wiki page?  It doesnt require any intervention from an admin to set it up, it is better suited to the job (the forums are designed for discussion; the wiki a collaborative information resource), it doesnt clutter up the main page with yet another sticky and people that want to take that trip down memory lane can do so.

Im a little late chiming in on this.  But i ve been here over a year now I didnt know him but have taken the time to read about him..

Having not known him his death and morning havent really effected me in any way. We never rode together or shared a beer..But i do know that others on here have..and wether it be rememberance or mourning his picture is there for a reason..

If someone wants to take it down thats their opinion.  But i believe that the ruling on whether it should or should not be removed should be left up to those who were around (on this site)  when he was alive and at the time of his death.. the rest of us...well ...we just need to live with their decision.

Quote from: ajaxgs on May 06, 2008, 05:35:16 AM

Quote from: frankieG on May 02, 2008, 06:14:13 PM
i agree with the "memorial" page for all fallen riders

+1

that´s was nice and respectful idea