Richard Babich

Never had the Pleasure to meet Richard, But was a big fan of the music he made His song "Be My Friend" is One of the most beautiful pieces of Music I've ever heard, alongside "Ghost Town"

Our family is remembering Richard again on the anniversary of his passing. We join all those who hold him in their thoughts today. RIP, Richard

I knew both Greg and Richard growing up in Springfield. My grandma, Nancy Welch, and their mom, Milka, were dear friends and the boys were my uncle's best friends. Was the early to mid 70's.
Will never forget the Quinalt Street days!! You were always the brains of the trio, Richard...

I first met Richard in elementary school at Moffit.
We both had glasses and a unique way of being ourselves. We both loved art and music.
We hung out on the playground and ate much together sometimes.

Always smiling always happy.

We lost touch somewhere back in our high school years, I moved around a lot.

We reconnected in the early 90's.
We hung out and I visited him at his house.
Music of course was always in the air.

That year we took a trip to Washington to Bumper Shoot music festival.

Ron Harding of the band Super Christ had an old LTD bus. We all chipped in for the trip!

(Richard,Greg, Ron, Mark and a few others)

On the trip we some how ended up at the house of the lead singer of Alice In Chains.
I don't know how we ended up there nor were we there very long.

It was the start of a crazy trip. The bus broke down soon after and we had to call a roadside mechanic.

The result was that we had to find our own ways from there to the festival. He gave a shout out to Doug Wilkerson who came and picked myself and my boyfriend at the time Mark Moran up.

The good times commenced by going to the music festival and staying a few days in Seattle.

We all ended up renting a van and drove home together back to Eugene.

Richard did his best to keep us all laughing on this trip then again Richard was always good at that.

Richard will always be known for his, art, music, genius,style and smile.

The music.... Mind Garage..... one of my favs!

Ghost Town lovingly haunts me to this day.

Always brings back a vivid memory of a cold, white foggy day.
I can see an old wind chime swinging though a glass window of some sort, and a few rain drops.

Than I recall being at Richards parents house.

I had been looking to reconnect with him since 2010 but could never locate him.

He is now on his next adventure...

Love you Richard....

The passing of Richard is one of the harder events in my life. Memories of knowing Richard and his family is one of the best of my life. As we all know, we grow and life changes our paths.

When the Babich Brothers walked in to Sheldon High School in '79, they showed us that the future was coming. Hip beyond the current life and times in Eugene, Oregon, for sure. Fashion, intellect, hairstyle and those eyelashes. Unlike All American Sheldon at the time, they introduced us that there was more out there.

I was a year older. I noticed them, definitely had an impression, but I was a year older. I got to know them later on in the school year. Our high school at the time had a big/little open to the sky mall that split the school in half. The lunchroom was the bridge. Our half that we came to live, grow and learn was the arts side. Music,, Drama, and Art. A place where kids like us chose to be. I have to digress about our open school. Our mid century school in Oregon we think was designed by a California Architect. In our hallways on the academic side we had uncovered atriums. One of the super powers of the Babich Brothers was their ability to wear the most awesome platform shoes and never slide on the ice in our hallways. Greg and Richard wore the leather bottom shoes. We girls wore the rubber wedged platforms and fell ritually. The brothers seemed to always float and saunter. (Nick too!)

It is funny how when something happens like Richard's passing how much a person wants to remember an exact moment. I can't really, but this almost exact moment reminded me of when the friendship was sealed with a group of us. Vince was part of it too.

As I mentioned before, we were part of a group who did well in academics and loved everything to do with art. Sheldon High School to this day is know for sports and students with above average incomes who can afford the gear for sports. We had a new gym teacher, I cannot remember he name. She was tuned into our dilemma. P.E. is a requirement to graduate. Well the opportunity to bond arrived! Richard whispered to me at the end of the first semester of my Jr. year.......JAZZERCISE CLASS. Yup I checked that box. Remember I mentioned those fantastic platform shoes? Somehow they convinced the lovely P.E. teacher and got away with doing JAZZERCISE in those shoes. Of course, they were practicing their moves for future rock shows. I was the fashion girl. Leotards, tights and a bandanna like Olivia Newton John.

Well a group of us laughed and bonded. The Babich Brothers invited me and the group to meet their Mom where she worked. We loved Milka. I could see where the boys got their beauty and kindness. Mc Donald's was the coolest place ever. She go to roam and didn't work behind the counter. She wore her uniform scarf perfectly knotted around her throat just perfectly off to the side. Effortless beauty. Her sons only mirrored the original.

Senior year I had responsibilities in the drama department. I directed many underclassmen in plays. Most of all, I had the keys to the drama department. My fondest memory was to watch all the boys blast music (mostly The Who), and practice what they wanted to become during lunch time. All of that group did in one way or another. Isn't that the pure meaning of cool.

I knew the Babich Brothers for quite a while. We matured at U of O, and grew later on. I came to know their father Drago, worked with Milka for a short time. I still bake Milka. The last time I saw Milka and Richard was at her work. It was way to long ago. I am thinking 2002. Husband and son came to me after then. My wonderful and brilliant distractions in life. However, knowing the Babich Family and having wonderful moments with them kept the currents in my life flowing in a great directions. Thank you for that Milka.

I looked to my memories and remembered when. I also in my recollections found my continuum in mirroring my memories in my present life. The last time I visited with Richard and Milka. Richard did what he always did. He stood right behind her. He always followed her and protected her. I had to laugh. My son who is now taller than me. I always directly behind me in my blind spot. If I think I have lost him, I take a backward step. He is always there. Richard always did the same thing to you Milka. I in all my heart know that is a blessing.

I am sorry I live so far away right now. Oregon is still my home.

Sending Love,

Sara Williams

i remember Richard from High school, he was so fun to watch as he was so creative with music and drama. I always loved his style! I didn't know him very well, but my friend told me of his passing this morning and I knew exactly who he was talking about. I looked him up in the year book this morning and lots of memories came flooding back. He made a great impression on many people. Milka, I don't know you but my heart and prayers are with you. I am a momma and I can't even imagine the pain. I hope these tributes bring you some joy in this time. God Bless you! I wish I could attend his memorial, but I live in Colorado now.

Richard & Greg Babich were uniquely talented Artists & musicians. Though our friendship was brief, it was poignant. Even, if not especially, the chaotic & bizarre moments shared sculpted my experiences in life. A deep sometimes disturbingly hilarious laugh was shared with both Richard & Greg often. Richard had an incredibly insightful artistic capacity, the few paintings of his I did see always evoked something in me. To reflect ones experiences so vividly in any medium is a talent many Artists never see realized. Richards brilliance was realized daily, our lives are richer & colored with fine memories because of the brothers Babich, though they're gone they live on in our art & music through their unique influence.

Dear Milka,
I hope you are reading these and I hope you remember me. I'm Karen (Goertzen) Stuve and lived across the street from your family until about 1969 or 1970. I still remember when your family moved in across the street and I have fond memories of playing in the neighborhood with Richard and Gregory. I'm so sad to see that both boys and Drago have pass on. You were such nice neighbors to our family. I have a really funny memory of Richard (Bello, as we all called him then!) and Gregory. We were watching the boys at our house for you and Drago. It was fairly soon after you moved into the neighborhood. We gave the boys each a bowl of ice cream and they said they had never had ice cream. They both took a bite and said "Mmmmm, Crrrrreamy!", rolling their R's. They said that again and again with most every bite. I've told that story many times and my husband and I still to this day, 40+ years later, say "Mmmm, crrrrreamy" when we take our first bite of ice cream! This story has kept your family alive in my memories and I have always wondered where you all were. I wish I had known the boys as they grew up. I will pray for you as you grieve your loss. I'm really very sorry. Karen Stuve

Richard and Greg were like brothers to me. I first met them at Cal Young in the 8th grade when they moved from Springfield to Eugene. Aaron Brown and I took them into our circle of friends and showed them the ropes; and they showed us a few things too.. The Babich home was like a 2nd family to me as I spent so much time there through high school. Milka and Drago were so gracious and kind to the son's friends, feeding us and educating us about a world so far away (Yugoslavia, WWII, and being survivors of the concentration camps.) So many fond memories, such a good and kind family! I will remember Richard for his positive energy (always laughing, giggling, and smiling), while sparking the imagination with his deep thoughts. Until we meet again Richie, save a place at the table for us, we are coming home soon too!

I knew Richard and his brother Greg when I was young. We spent tim e listening to music and talking about current events. They were great folks and I was disheartened to hear of his passing.

I remember Richard coming by my folks house along with Nick often when I was a kid. He was a very sweet and soft spoken guy and I always remember liking him and being interested in his band Mind if you want to listen to some of his music from their old demo, you can download it here : http://panicon13th.blogspot.com/2011/11/mind-garage-st-demo-cassette-only-1987.html?m=1

Rest in peace Richard.
-Ken Holst

Richard was friends with my older siblings in high school but was at our house a lot and always encouraged me to keep practicing the guitar. I loved watching him play in Mind Garage in the early 80's with is brother. He was a sweet soul.

I am so sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He was a creative and bright person. My prayers and best wishes to his family.

So glad Richard was a Jesus follower. I'm sure he's rejoicing to be in His presence today.

One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest and creative people I've had the privilege to know. Richard was the definition of a true gentleman. I will always miss him.

I remember Richard so we'll. What a multi-talented guy. He and my son, Nick, were best friends. Always there for each other. The angels will enjoy playing music with Richard.