Rich was born in Brooklyn NY in 1943. He worked for Bell Telephone in NY and requested a transfer to Florida in the 70s. He retired at age 50 after 32 years. After retirement he continued one of his passions, motorcycles, by training other bikers as a Certified Rider Coach though Motorcycle Safety Foundation and riding through the United States from Coast to Coast.
One of his other passions was cars. He drag raced in NY and never lost his love for engines. Old, new, hot and cool. He had many antique, classic, and hotrods through the years but his last beauty, a 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger was his favorite. He’s built and rebuilt cars and motorcycles and these passions were shared with his son Darren and many best friends. He belonged to Gold Wing Riders Association, Antique Automobile Club of America and Wheels in Motion who’s motto is “ Just for the fun of it”
Rich met Viki Longwell in 1989 and “Just for the fun of it” got married. They shared, what Viki called, “the best years of her life” Viki from Detroit, shared his passion of cars, bikes and anything on wheels, but had to move to Florida to share their passion of the ocean. Their time spent in Flagler Beach, even the time when Richard was a City Commissioner, was one contiguous vacation.
Richy, as his old car buddies called him, was the best guy you’d ever had the privilege of knowing. Smart, funny and grounded, He will be terribly missed by family and friends. He was a grateful 30 year friend of Bill W.
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