Mary, Karla, and Amy

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember how lucky we were to find some great neighbors when we arrived in Iowa City, I particularly enjoyed sparring with Rich over politics. It was hard to be angry at him when he "fought" with an impish grin on his face.The world is a better place because he lived.

I am sorry that I missed his service. If I can be of help to you who was always so good to me and my family, please let me know. My days are spent being old and helping Anne-Marie and her husband with their five-year old daughter, Sophie.

I was a young traveler hitchhiking across America. All I had was a photo of my Grandpa and Rich‘s sister from a visit in Eastfriesland. So I knocked at their door as a stranger. From that first moment I felt like being part of the family. I was overwhelmed by goodness and friendliness. They cared for me, let me take part in their wonderful familiy life. Rich was always kidding with me, he was an anchor of kindness. I learnt a lot not only about the Iowa Hawkeyes but what it takes to be a good person. He truly was exactly that: a good person, a wonderful character who made many lives go on better after having met him. We as family Hinrichs/Memenga feel sad but proud to be part of Richs family. We mourne but when we think of him there will be always a smile on our face.

I must apologize for my English that I haven‘t practised a lot but I am sure you will understand what Rich meant and is still meaning to us.

Farewell, dear Rich. We know that you are at a good place in heaven.

Rich was the best. I interacted with Rich via the Carver College of Medicine and the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health and the College of Public Health. He understood the vision and needs and found solutions. He went beyond the space configuration but sought to understand the interactions of faculty and researchers. He was more than an administrator and facilitator but truly a partner and a friend. When we saw him at Hawkeye events after he retired he always had a smile and a kind word. He will be remembered.

To Rich's beloved family,

I'm blessed to have known this honorable, faithful man as a friend & fellow church member. Rich was passionate in his beliefs and in his love for family, God, & country. I will miss him.

Patti Benson

Dad told us that there would be no Deans office without his great friend Rich.

I remember the many basketball games we watched together at Carver Arena.

RKS has meant many things to me over the years. Boss, mentor and friend to name a few. Neither his beloved Cardinals nor the College of Medicine meant more to Rich than Mary and his family. When I heard about his death, a favorite phrase of his immediately came to mind. “Uff da.” BKS

I worked with Rich first as a young pup at the Carver College of Medicine and then through the years as our work expanded. He was always the utmost professional, unflappable, kind and creative. He made the CCOM work and the success of the research enterprise there over the years was built on his ability to find the best ways for the clinician/scientist to do their work. We are all ever grateful to him and to the joy and good will he spread throughout.

I first met Rich soon after Carol and I first came to Iowa city in 1960 and we interacted many, many times while he remained with the Department of Internal Medicine. I still saw him on many later ,occasions as well until I retired in 1998. His impact on the College of Medicine can never be fully comprehended, for he brought his smile and his skills to so many of us throughout the College who had the great good fortune to know him.

We were deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Schmidt. Mohamed & I have known and interacted with Mr. Schmidt for decades before our retirement from the college of Medicine. He was an exceptional leader and an admired dedicated colleague to many who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him on many levels.

We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and his colleagues.

I will personally always recall his kind welcoming smile and greetings each time we met.

May God rest his soul and grant his family and friends solace.

In Sympathy.

Dr. & Mrs. Mohamed Ghoneim

He was truly a great one. I am honored to have worked with him at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He was a kind and caring human. He carried out his job at the University with dignify.

I trust that God granted him an easy passage from this world to the next eternal one.

May God bless the family.

Reginald Cooper M.D.

Mary, Amy, Carla and family,

Rich had a kind and generous heart and loved all of you so much! I still marvel at the breadth of his organizational skills and consider him one a beloved mentor.

Prayers f celebration for his life and prayers for you in your mourning.

It was fun to work with Rich. We disagreed on so many issues. Yet we always found a way forward because we had the same goals.

Dear Family, Blessings during this difficult time. I will be thinking about you and holding your family in prayer. Twila

Mary and Family - I am so very sorry to learn of Rich's passing. I so enjoyed 'sparring' with Rich, getting a laugh from him and sharing a joke or two. He was committed to his family and his faith. I am sorry that I will not be present for the visitation or service due to being out of town, but know that I am thinking of you all and celebrating that special Cardinals fan in heaven.

Deb Wretman