I had the opportunity to meet Rich Clark a few months ago at Primary Children's Medical Center, and the news of his passing breaks my heart. I had the chance to get to know Rich in an odd way, and I intentionally kept it quiet because I didn't want it to seem self-serving ain any way. But I'll share it with you here so that you'll understand my feelings.
I became aware that Rich had been undergoing some intense, expensive treatment and that he really wanted to go to September's Green Day show. Rich loves Green Day. That pretty much says it all. Artie, Corey, and I gave him our tickets so he could go with his friends. I delivered the tickets in person to him with the X96 Incident Management Vehicle at Primary Children's Medical Center, and during the course of his treatment he was able to attend the concert.
Some people proposed alerting the media and going on the air with this kind gesture, but I chose to keep it at just that: a kind gesture. I didn't even mention it on this blog until today.
My thoughts are with Rich's family and friends at this time.
Below is his obituary from the Daily Herald.
Richard Lee Clark, 18, of Orem, passed away November 23, 2005. He was born December 5, 1986. Survived by his parents and best friends, Lee A. Clark and Christa M. Clark, his dog Pongo, his grandma Carol Romano, and his aunt Erin M. McMacken.
Graduated from high school in 2004 and was a student at UVSC in film making and creative writing.
Richard fought a valiant and honorable fight against ALL(Leukemia) here on earth but the Lord called him on a mission to the other side of the veil. Richard loves music and played a mean electric guitar and wrote amazing songs that were an extension of his life experiences and all of the things that he had been through. Richard had the largest most giving heart and loved all mankind and treated everyone equally. He had a special connection with animals, especially his dogs Pongo and Digger.
Richards main focus and devotion was to his family, they always came first and received the best from Rich and he knew that "families are forever." Richard had a wonderful, quick, explosive sense of humor and kept us laughing right up until his passing. The special way he looked at life taught us all to be better humans and to be kinder and gentler to each other, we will carry this forward in Richard's honor. Please be kind to someone that needs a hand up and know that Richard will be smiling down on you from above. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Primary Children's Medical Center or the National Leukemia Foundation in Richard's behalf.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 28, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cascade Chapel at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and also Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will take place in Howell, Michigan. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com.
Published in the Daily Herald on 11/26/2005.
todd's iPod
10:20 am "Macy's Day Parade" Green Day
1:20 pm "J.A.R. " Green Day
(For Rich and his family.)
