Richard Coppins Peters

My dear cousin, Please know you are deeply missed and we know you are watching over us. Until we meet again, love you.

Rich was a great man. I never will forget him and only can say - i am so sad about this bad News. Wish all the Family strength

Eberhard Schlee from Homag GmbH

Rich was a family member we will all miss. He made his plan for life and he stuck to it throughout his adulthood. He had a full life and fortunately reunited with a loving wife to be by his side. He was so brave at the end but no one wants to be alone. Thank you Rhonda for being by his side. You gave him so much love and happiness. Thank you, Connie and family

Rich was a great friend and work associate. He taught me much and was always there for me when I needed help or encouragement. I will miss him!

I'm not saying goodbye to you although your time on this earth was done... you started your new journey high up in the sky. Fly Rich, Fly.... touch the rainbows and smile... until we meet again....

Rhonda, I met Rich in the early 80's and I will always have fond memories of our friendship together. We will certainly miss him. Our condolences to you and your family. Joe & Margaret Brigman, Weaverville, NC

Rich was a merry old soul and Mary Jane and I will miss him. May he rest in peace.

When we heard of RC's illness in early April, we visited Ronda and RC and spent a great afternoon reliving our past together. I explained we were on our way to a convention in Tampa, but actually we drove to Homosassa and then returned home the next day. We didn't want to show our deep concern for RC.
We are thankful for the fun we had that day.

RIch was our neighbor in Homosassa and while our time together was brief, we were blessed by his energy and positive outlook on life. I was privileged to give him the gospel of Jesus Christ which he graciously received. Our condolences to Rhonda and family. Rhonda was a loving and caring wife and dedicated herself to Rich in his battle with ALS. Rich will, indeed, be missed but I pray that he is joyously smiling at the face of Jesus.

I find many happy high school memories coming to mind (class of 63)and our time playing Words with Friends....but the first time Pete brought Rhonda back to Westfied to meet his fellow classmates will always stand out....it was very apparent the two of them had found their soul mates.....Rhonda you certanily filled Pete's life with love and happiness....Rhonda I'm so sorry for your loss.

Growing up in Westfield NY I was fortunate to have Rich as one of my friends. We fought imaginary wars dug foxholes & won every war. Building roads in the sand with his collection of Mach Box construction equipment his Dad would give him when he would return from Canada.
I have so many wonderful memories of our childhood. Because he was 2 years older we grew apart & lost touch. Just last year he sent me a friend request & we renewed our friendship. I can only wish we had connected earlier. I will miss him.
I pray for his family that they will find pease & strength at this time. Everyone knows he is home & no longer in pain.
RIP, my friend

Rich miss you're smiling face and always wanting to help anyone in the neighborhood ! You're in Happy Place

Sorry to find out about Rich's passing, we were neighbors growing up in Westfield NY. He came back to Westfield a few years ago and I got to see him and some of his "critters". He looked really good.

We had some good time, in buisness and private and good and Long talks in the evening. Will never Forget it.

Rich was a wonderful neighbor and friend. He seemed to adapt well to my sense of humor and we had lots of fun digging at each other. I really liked his fishing stories and he seemed to light up while sharing his last big catch.

We shared many good times and consoled each other during the tough ones at PSC and State. Rest in Peace dear classmate and buddy, never to be forgotten !

Rich, Thank you for all of the support, and tough love you have given me through out my career. I will always be grateful for both your mentorship and friendship! I will miss you! Love you, buddy!

I was so lucky to have a two generation friendship with Richie through our mothers. Jannie Coppins - Richie's mom - met my mother during WW2 on a cruise of the St. Lawrence River. They remained the best of friends and after Jannie's death, Richie maintained a life-long friendship the old fashioned way - through letters, phone calls and the occasional visit. We were so lucky to have joined Rhonda and Richie at the Buffalo Canoe Club for lunch just last June where he entertained us with fascinating stories of his work in India and China and reminisced about his childhood summers spent playing in the sand and sailing on beautiful Lake Erie. His grandfather had been the Club's Commodore and we enjoyed looking at all the old framed photos of sailors past and present. Richie was a thoughtful and affectionate gentleman with a great sense of fun and beautiful old world manners. He was sensitive, well-spoken and loyal. After a brief visit with them in Florida this Spring Rich sent a surprise package to our house in Toronto - it was two Paul Smith College T shirts. We love them. You see my husband's name happens to be Paul Smith. I will always miss Richie but he will be so much alive in my memories. Our thoughts and love to you Rhonda.

Michele Carroll and Paul Smith, Toronto, Canada.

Being accepted into your family means the world to me. Taking care of you was my honor and showed me how strong and unselfish you were. You will always have a piece of my heart. Give them hell up there and fly with the Angels Rich

I am so sorry that Rich had to go through his battle with ALS. Rich and I were friends at Paul Smith's, NC State, the US Army and through his various jobs. I still have visions of seeing him walking way in front of me in a US Army hospital in Germany and I knew it was him without seeing his face and he was over 200 feet in front of me. After Germany we got to see each other many times in Old Fort and Asheville. Rich was one of a kind and he will be missed. Phil Araman, Blacksburg, VA

God Bless you Rich. You will be missed.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Being accepted into your family means the world to me. Taking care of you was my honor and made me realize how strong and unselfish you were. You will always have a piece of my heart. Rest in peace and give them hell up there. I love you Rich.

Andy and I have many fond memories of our neighbors Rich, and lovely Rhonda. We still miss them, and are so very sad to know we cannot see Rich again. Our neighborhood friends are heartbroken. Dear Rhonda, we are thinking of you, and praying for your family. With love, Glenda and Andy

I will always remember and cherish the phone conversations rich and I had and his well wishes for me and others as he bravely fought his own battle with dignity.
My thoughts and prayers are with Rhonda and family.
Jennifer June

Your wings were ready to fly but my heart was not ready to say goodbye. You will be missed Rich. God Bless and keep you in his loving arms. My love goes out to you, Rhonda and family and I pray this poem helps them as much as it has me. To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.