Everyone...

I have just been informed of the passing of one of our posters... and one of my first Rice (non-football) friends, Rick Gerlach

I'm honestly speechless at the moment, so please forgive my poor attempt to honor his memory here... but I think lots of us knew and respected Rick


http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity...cale=en_US

This is heartbreaking.

Prayers for his soul and family.

Gosh, very sad news. That's two we've lost way too soon on this board now in the past couple of years (Rick and Kent Rowald). RIP.

Wow. Too young...

Devastating. One of my favorite personalities on the board. I'm really going to miss his wit and insight.
Deepest sympathies for his family

Shocking.

May he rest in peace. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Very sad to hear this. Never met Rick in person but loved to read what he would have to say here. Prayers to his family.

Rick always made a point of coming by to see me while I was working at track meets. His older daughter, Amanda, is a sophomore on the track/cross country team at Trinity University. I've also met his youngest, Daniel, who I don't think has reached high school yet.

Very great loss for his family and for the Rice family, as well.

Wow.

I only knew Rick online. He and I disagreed about many things over the years but never with any acrimony. There are not many others I can say that about. I will miss him.

My condolences to his family.

This hits me hard. I was more than just an online friend, sometimes meeting him at games. A conscientious and thoughtful poster, a great dad. I always kidded him that he looked twenty years younger than his actual age.

Between this and the loss of Kent, this forum is immeasurably diminished.

(08-24-2017 06:55 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  This hits me hard. I was more than just an online friend, sometimes meeting him at games. A conscientious and thoughtful poster, a great dad. I always kidded him that he looked twenty years younger than his actual age.

Between this and the loss of Kent, this forum is immeasurably diminished.

I saw that obit this morning and was really, really hoping it wasn't him despite the familiar face. Not enough of us to begin with to keep losing the good ones.

He seemed like a really good guy here. Always respectful and level-headed. We need more people like that in life. All the best to his family. I'm sure he'll be missed by many people in many places.

(08-24-2017 06:42 PM)Gravy Owl Wrote:  Wow.

I only knew Rick online. He and I disagreed about many things over the years but never with any acrimony. There are not many others I can say that about. I will miss him.

My condolences to his family.

I share your thoughts. Rick and I disagreed far more times than not, but having met him on several occassions-- and even given him extra tickets once or twice, I never questioned the quality of person he was. And, it goes without saying, as true and loyal a fan of Rice athletics as anyone.

And there are so few of us. This is a saddening loss. Requiescat in pace....

This is simply devastating news. I knew Rick from his time at Rice. What a tremendous loss...and a very sad day.

My already bad day just became much worse with this news. A disheartening shock and major loss to this board and the Owl community. Prayers to the family.

Very sad, great contributor. Condolences to his family and friends.

Heartbreaking news. We lost a truly great Owl. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I did not know Rick except from here. But I see we were born within days of each other so we were at Rice at the same time. It pains me to see someone so young to go. RIP, Rick.