Richard Melby

I went on date to a DeMolay midnight cruise with Richie, while we were attending high school together. I remember we double dated with Marty Banks and her escort, but can't remember his name. I happily accepted this invitation during an off-time in an on-and-off relationship with someone else, so we never really got together beyond that one date, but pretty sure I had a crush on him ever since, and I am so sorry to hear this sad, sad news, but so very happy to see he enjoyed a very good, full, and quality family-filled life.

Rich and I became classmates in the 3rd or 4th grade at Lincolnshire Elementary School in Halfway. He is the one person from Hagerstown that I've stayed in touch with (all be it randomly) over the years. He had a great appreciation of life. in grade school he laughed at my jokes. That must have been the thing that ingratiated me to him. I wasn't that funny... In high school he drove a burgundy Corvair with stick shift. All of us aspired to have a Portia at that time. He drove that Corvair like it was a 911...He was an accomplished craftsman. I remember him working on my parents house. My father who was an amateur woodworker was just blown away by the quality of furniture that Rich created. His many pieces of furniture are works of art. I know these last couple of years were challenging to say the least as he battled his cancer but he most certainly gave it his absolute best shot. I'll miss him. He was a good guy. He laughed at my jokes...