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Richard Cummings Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Cummings
October 13, 2012
God's comfort my best friend....the Packer days will never be the same. A hoist of special libations shall be hoisted each game in praise of your lousy picks!!!!!!! Love you my brother in arms...Playing For Pizza In Heaven! See you soon enough old friend.... Love Tom. Ps we are. Settled up! XO
Renya Larson
October 9, 2012
Dick was a passionate and progressive educator. He was also a lifelong friend of my father's. My sincere condolences to the Cummings family.
Randall Ryder
October 8, 2012
I grieve the passing of Richard and extend my sympathy to the members of his family. Richard was the consummate professor. He had a keen sense of the workings of the academic community and the role of the faculty's engagement in the process of educating students and generating knowledge. His many contributions to the governance at UWM were a lasting contribution to its policies, procedures, and traditions. He would often draft into my office seeking to engage in lengthy discussions of the goals of UWM and how he saw those goals often clouded my the ambitions of those who did not understand the complexities of the academy. He was bright, well schooled, and was free to recognize what he did not fully understand in an effort to become more knowledgeable and effective as a scholar and teacher He talked often about his love for his family, his concern for their welfare and his pride in their accomplishments. I am saddened by his passing, but know there are so many of us who were blessed by his presence and his friendship. His spirit touched so many.
Dominic Gullo
October 8, 2012
I was saddened to hear of Dick's passing. I've known him in different capacities since 1968. In 1968, he was my professor in a class called something like "education and society." This was a very special class to me in that it was the class in which I met my wife of 40 years. Jump ahead to 1987. In 1987, Dick became my colleague as I ultimately became a professor at UWM. He was a friend and confidant, someone I could talk to about anything (including the science experiement going on in his coffee cup). I'm sure he's continuing his storytelling to whom ever is in listening range. God bless, my friend.
David Rogalski
October 7, 2012
To Betty and Kids, Just arrived for a visit from the UK and read the sad news of Richard's passing. I have fond memories of Richard and the Family on your sabatical year in London at IUE. Alain Elias also sends his condolences.
Tony Baez
October 7, 2012
My most sincere condolences to the Cummings family. Richard was a great man and one of the UWM faculty who contributed the most to the Latino community. We thank him for that!
David Garnham
October 7, 2012
Dick was a major presence throughout UWM for many decades. I met him through Gus Rodgers (Economics) soon after I joined Political Science in 1970. Deepest sympathy to his family.
October 7, 2012
Dear Cummings family, I grieve for your loss. Any time our families were together your dad left me with a smile on my face, and joy in my heart. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Kevin (K-dog) Hensen
October 6, 2012
It took a while for me to get to know the old man on the sidelines, but in my darkest moments after a tough loss on the pitch, he found a way of lifting my spirits with kind words of support and encouragement. He became like a 16th man to me...when the chips were down in a heated contest, I took great comfort in seeing Dick at the touch line. A friend to the Harlequin, he epitomized the rugby father, always there to help us grow. A truly gentle man that I am forever grateful to have known.
Mary Williams
October 6, 2012
We will miss him. So many wonderful memories!
October 6, 2012
Betty, and all of Richards beloved family.
We read with both love and tears the news of Richards passing. He now joins the poker players he laughed with so often. His friends, students and family will always hold him dear in memory.
He loved you, the children and grandchildren so much, Betty.
We will always miss Richard and remember him as a fine, decent and wonderful friend, teacher, scholar, sailor, athlete and neighbor.
Love, Evie(Sloan)and Jim Spice
Tammy Miller
October 5, 2012
Jenny, Scott, Sean & family,
My deepest condolences to all of you during this most difficult time. Your father was a wonderful role model and member of our community.
May you all find peace in knowing that he was loved by many, and has left behind many great memories.
Sincerely,
Tammy (Hanneman) Miller
John Belcher
October 3, 2012
I am sorry to receive word of Richard's death. Richard was a good friend and colleague during the surreal and thankfully brief days we spent trying to manage the campus of a US university in the UK. If ever there was a place where kindred spirits were needed, it was there. His rye sense of humor combined with a striving to inject some degree of professionalism into a pretty hopeless situation managed to make the experience much more bearable.
Hiroshi and I enjoyed seeing Richard abd Betty again about 4 years ago when we visited Milwaukee. Our thoughts are with Richard's family and friends.
John & Hiroshi, Tokyo, Japan
Tim (Timmer) Iding
October 3, 2012
Dick will be saddly missed. As we founded UWM RFC the school said we needed a facalty advisor. No one would take up the position. Then low and behold Richard said he would do it! I miss the days of plying side by side with him. My heart felt condolences go out to the Cummings family. R.I.P.
Jerry Gleason
October 2, 2012
To Dick's family: I know you will miss Dick, but the luncheon group at the "Tracks' will also miss his "Wit and wisdom".
But, we all know "He is in a better place."
Roger Groll
October 1, 2012
Dick was a tremendous person. It was an honor to share the rugby field with him. He was in his 50s while we were in our 20s when I played. Being 55 now, I have resigned myself to coaching and no longer playing.
Eugene "Huge Euge" Ohm
October 1, 2012
My sincerest condolences to the Cummings family. I am a better person for having known Dick and having him as a friend. Dick always had a smile and words of encouragement whenever needed. I shall cherish the many fond memories of him coaching and playing rugby, touring New Zealand, and just sitting and conversing over a pint. I miss you Dick, R.I.P.
Rob Ford
October 1, 2012
I met and enjoyed musings and discussions with Dick on quite a few occasions. My deep condolences on your, and the community at large's, loss
October 1, 2012
Dick brought me into the wild world of rugby 20+ years ago. That in itself changed my life. But, he became so much more than just a coach. I loved getting postcards from Dick from all over the world. But my two favorite memories of Dick are
1) Him jumping in and playing when we were short a player. He must have been in his late 50s at the time.
2) Dick coming all of the way to Green Bay to come to my wedding.
My condolences to his family. But, I know he lived life to the fullest. God bless.
Matt 'Skinny' Goetsch UWM RFC
Jim Harings
October 1, 2012
I met Dick (as so many others did) through rugby, and even got to tour New Zealand with him in 2005. I loved having a pint with him, conversing on real world events (besides rugby), and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Dick. To his family, thank you for sharing your father and husband with us for all those years.
October 1, 2012
I forgot to sign my name.
Jim Radwill
email- [email protected]
October 1, 2012
I considered Dick my friend and mentor. Never a bad word to say and always ready with a Joke. God Bless friend.
Russ Prust
October 1, 2012
Dick was on my doctoral committee and a good friend during my time at UWM. He was caring, supportive, and nurturing and one of the foundations stones of my career. I have nothing but the fondest of memories of Dick and will cherish them all my life. My deepest condolences to his family.
Michele and Jean-Yves
October 1, 2012
Betty, Sean and Family,
We will always have fond memories of Richard from all those great gatherings
at your house or in Paris. He was always such a pleasant person to be around
and we will miss his great wit and charm.
Please know that we are sharing your grief at this very sad and difficult time.
Chuck Davis
October 1, 2012
Sean ,Scott and Family .It is with a heavy heart that I heard of the passing of Dick. I was very sad to hear of your loss you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers .
Ian Harris
September 30, 2012
Richard was a wonderful colleague. One of the best parts of my career at UWM was working with him on a regular basis.
Patrick Bellegarde-Smith
September 30, 2012
Richard was most kind to me when I appeared at UWM in 1986, but especially helpful when I became chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies (now the Department of Africology). He fought alongside us when it became necessary, and I shall always remember him for his devotion and his kindness. His service and his interest in Malawi, Brazil, Panama, Colombia indicated to me that he had had a strong interest in the African diaspora. We cherish him as we mourn his loss.
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