Deceased Classmate: 1973 Ricky Schmelz
Date Of Birth:
Date Deceased: Feb-2014
Age at Death:
Cause of Death: COPD
Classmate City:
Classmate State: WA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
Survived By:
In Memory
Richard Schmelz - Class Of 1973
George Bruhl (1973)
Rick was pretty good at rockcraft. He was into it and became, from what I understand a good cragsman. I ran into him on the West Coast quite by chance in the Seattle area and we had a nice talk followed by some great seafood stew over at a small mom and pop diner around Gig Harbor. One of those coincidences of life that we sometimes get to enjoy.
Rest in Peace.
Steven Luria (1975)
Steven Luria (1975)
Life was one long Adventure. Rick definitely saw the world as an invitation to challenge.
Laurie Burrell (Garden) (1973)
Ricky was a good friend in High School. I always admired his determination to not follow the path of addiction in his family while being "normal" about drugs and booze. I recall a lot of good music in his shag carpeted van and heavy discussions about life. We used to drive out to the quarry to go cliff jumping and he even taught me repelling. His friendship made a differance in my life. I last tracked him down after a reunion and he said he was living off the grid on Mt. Saint Helens before it erupted and was the last person to make it off the mountain alive. He sounded happy and continued to be a naturalists/outdoorsman. I admire Ricky for living his dream and I am very saddened that he was taken from it so soon.