Richard G. Connell Jr.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

It's not everyday that you get to meet someone as unique and wonderful as Doc. I'm sad for those who won't get the opportunity to have learned under him.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I remember Dick as a wonderful customer and friend who came into our bank and made us all feel special. He had such a gentle way about him, never pushy or demanding. We had the pleasure of having Debbie work with us for several years. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

Doc meant a lot to a lot of people over the years. I showed up in 1989 with several students from the west coast and Doc quickly became a mentor and friend to me and my students. When I left in 2004 around the time Doc retired, I had been able to observe many students go through our program and I was proud of the department's success in becoming one of the best MSE prorams in the country. This success was due to the efforts of many and certainly Doc's commitment to our students played a...

Dick and Linda Connell were our neighbors when we first started out as a young married couple in Gainesville and the short five years that we lived next door to them watching Debbie and Rich grow and seeing Dick put in long hours each day preparing his thesis for his PhD were fun filled times. Linda shared many of her "country dishes" with us , (biscuits to die for) and it was hard moving away from such great people.
Dick always impressed me with the strong southern tradition of being a...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. We will always have many wonderful memories of our times together.
Ellis D. Verink, Jr., Martha O. Verink, Wendy Verink-Terhune, Doug Terhune, Barbara Verink, Bryce and Cody. (Cody remembers the football BBQs)