The obituary omitted the names of our five adopted children:
Michael Young McChesney (married to Mulu Kidanemariam)
Leul Tsegay McChesney (married to Hana Bekele) 
Mikias Elias (married to Hirut Berehe, three children--Eldana, Natnael and Eyosias)
Seble Belay (single, one child--Izana)
Laura Ann McChesney (single)

I just noticed his passing in the Y Magazine. Richard used to eat dinner each day with us in our apartment at Roman Gardens at BYU. I enjoyed reading about his life. He was such an incredible person!!

RICHARD MC CHESNEY

I met Richard at the L.A. First Singles Ward.  He was tall and good lookin’ and VERY smart.  He was also blind -- had been since he received too much oxygen in a baby incubator.

His parents wanted to give him as many experiences as any young boy should have on his way to independence.  They gave him a bike and told him to figure it out with his friends.  Neighborhood kids on their cul-du-sac worked out strategies with a rope that miraculously kept him safe enough despite hitting a few parked cars.  They also gave him a football.  He always played defense.

When he went to San Diego State, he was self-assured and eager to test his hard-won independence.  Later he graduated from Brigham Young University to be an attorney.

He married in college.  She was not blind, however, she was soon diagnosed with Diabetes and lost her sight.  Now Richard was teaching her ways to cope and taking care of her.  Her case progressed rapidly and he was a widower at 25.

As an adult he was annoyed by very few things.  Chief amongst them was when they changed the bus route and he had no way of knowing and waited in vain.  Just once he cheated with money.  He was careful to ask which denominations were which.  Then he folded his bills in different directions to distinguish them.  Cooking was troubling sometimes.  He preferred jars that he could reseal so he could taste it as grape jelly or raju for his pasta.  Cans were an adventure since, of course, he couldn’t read the label. He had many odd meals...like peaches and sauerkraut.  He loved recipes that were explicitly clear.  “Does a whole egg mean with or without the shell?”  He showed me his special measuring devices and other gizmos that had Braille stamped into the plastic that made things easier.

Richard had worked out what he could to fit into the sighted world.  He bought lamps for his apartment so guests would feel comfortable.  He safety-pinned articles of clothing so colors wouldn’t offend.  Blue on the left, brown on the right.  When out with a date, he would explain just how he wanted it to go.  For example, “I want to open the car door for you...and then I’ll bump around to my side.”  “When the hostess comes to seat us, just say hello so I know she is focused on us, then I’ll take it from there.”  “Now that I’ve proved I can cut a steak, would you cut the rest so I don’t make a mess?”

Did I mention he is VERY smart?  He was a lawyer for the IRS and was given really hard cases.  He had the remarkable gift of memorizing forms and long lists of numbers.
The first time he read a document, he used a gadget that he would run across a type- written text. It was a tiny camera that would buzz his finger in Braille.  (I tried it, but it was like one long buzz to me.) He never had to do it twice.  His favorite victory was the case of the mob boss they sent to his office.  A plainclothes officer stood just outside the door in case of any funny business.  When the “client” discovered Richard’s blindness, he was initially relieved and thought he could easily trick him.  Not so fast, Buster!

“I see here on line 45 we have a dispute.  We think the number ought to be closer to _____.  After hearing strings of memorized numbers, this criminal was in awe and surrendered on the spot into the hands of the waiting officer!

I dated Richard not more than five times.  (“All I require in a date is that she has a driver’s license and a sexy voice.”)  I am happy to report that he met a young, capable widow who is also a lawyer and now his second wife.

I was fascinated with Richard for a while.  It was so eye-opening to observe how he made his way with confidence, gentility and good humor.  Most of all I was impressed with Richard’s testimony.  “I know my Redeemer lives and that He stands on the tops of the mountains and can see afar off.  I trust Him that with His help I will not stumble.”

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center - Springfield 

OBITUARIO

Richard P. McChesney

6 octubre, 1951 – 25 junio, 2022

Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center-Springfield

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios