Rick Thorpe April 17, 1966 – September 11, 2001   Taken August 2001, just a few weeks before he died. Linda, Alexis and Rick Thorpe   (Rick's wife and daughter). Rick had a booming voice, a big heart, a big spirit. He could fill a room with his energy, and with his broad smile and quick wit could turn up the edge of seriousness to reveal the humor beneath. He was lighthearted and good-humored; wherever he went he brought joy with him. Though casual and laughter-filled, Rick’s demeanor could not and did not obscure the seriousness that was the other side of his gift of humor. He loved people and his commitment to them was complete. The homeless woman whom he passed on his way to work and chatted with soon became “Mary”, and Rick shared with her, as she did with him, the pleasures and frustrations of his day. His voice would lift and his eyes brighten as he described his delight in teaching a toddler, on the T-ball team he once coached, how to hit the ball off the T in a single swing. While at Lafayette College, he helped run a soup kitchen and took seriously the responsibility he accepted in becoming a Big Brother. He had a deep commitment to family, and to his hosts of friends he was generous, kind and forever loyal. Taken in August 2000, a year before his death.  The picture shows Linda Thorpe (Rick's wife) , Rick, Sue Thorpe Burghouwt (Rick's sister), and Art Burghouwt (Sue's husband).      Rick carried his public success and achievements with such easy gracefulness that one could almost overlook the attitudes that created them. As a powerful athlete and a leader on the field, he was committed to competition as the heart of the game and to fair play as its soul. He was successful in business and beginning to emerge as a leader there as well. With no need to boast, he was much too comfortable with who he was to want to impress. His success set the standard, and he strove to stand equal to it. Taken over labor day weekend 2001, a week before 9/11.  It shows the whole family together - for the last time. From left to right Ray, Marilyn, Rick, Linda, Alexis Thorpe (1). Jason Burghouwt (7), Art Burghouwt, Sue Thorpe Burghouwt, and Tyler Burghouwt (10). Rick is too-soon gone, so when he comes back to us in our mind’s eye, he will be forever what he was the last time we saw him. Caught in the high sunlight of early manhood, he strides forward with broad shoulders and a big smile, radiant with optimism that no matter what comes, he’s ready to take it on. “In short measures life may perfect be.” But of course we will miss him. Always we will miss him. -Harvard V. Knowles Professor of English Phillips Exeter Academy October 12, 2002 HE BRIGHTENED THE LIVES OF THOSE HE TOUCHED      HIS LAUGHTER WAS THE SPLASH OF           WATER ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE   HIS HEART THE HORIZON                                                   ERIC "RICK" R. THORPE This is a bench in Rick's memory located on Ender's Island, CT (near Mystic, CT) where Rick's memorial service was held on October 5, 2001.

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