This popped up as a memory from Facebook, wanted to share on the forum named after FirstDuck:
"After a weekend of some fun (and less than fun) times, as I was driving home, I received some news that really caught me off guard... a friend whom I had met through
Duck Sports Authority had passed away this morning.
He was an active member of our little "community" whom I respected immensely.
Words alone can never fully express what the loss of someone means to everyone around him. Firsty, as FirstDuck was affectionately known by many here at Duck Sports Authority, was more than just a long time member and long time poster here at DSA, he was a lifelong Duck whose passion for the Ducks was never a question.
I have had the pleasure of spending time with Dick and his wife both in Phoenix before the national championship game as well as a dinner we shared at Thirsty Lion. Dick and his wife were some of the best people I have ever met. Still in love like teenagers, they had a weekly movie date night to ensure quality "couples" time was never lost.
Many people don't know this but, despite the fact that Dick rarely came to the DSA Tailgates, he contributed every year. He would stop by the Spring Tailgate as well as the first tailgate of the fall and make his contribution. It is little sparks of generosity like this that define his spirit, loyalty and compassion for all Duck fans.
While he may not have donated the millions of guys like Phil Knight and Pat Kilkenny, he was perhaps an even more valuable Duck fan having contributed for considerably longer and been a staple at Duck games for much longer than Knight. You want a "superduck" Firsty is far more qualified for that title having sat in the ran during endless blowout losses (or worse, aka "toilet bowl). Can Phil make that claim? No.
I was also one of the few posters who knew about SOD's (Still Old Duck) relationship with First. Dick had asked me to not mention it, and I had honored that request.
Phoenix was like a pinnacle of DSA Tailgates. One of the very few that Dick attended it was also flat out the most special moments I have shared with Duck fans. The previous evening, a couple dozen of us DSA'ers shared dinner at a Scottsdale restaurant "The Culinary Dropout." This night cemented Dick's place as a friend to me and I was grateful for the moments we were able to share.
More than being a loyal Duck, though, Dick was a loyal person. For all his value as a member of this site and as a lifelong Duck, Dick was an even more valuable person. A loving husband, father and grandfather, the work he did as a family man far outweighs his value as a Duck fan. That is where he will be missed most and that is a loss not just for Duck fans but for Americans.
SOD, I am so sorry for the loss of this great man. I hope you can pass my condolences on to his beautiful wife. We only met twice, but she is a wonderful person and I know this will be a very difficult time for she and the rest of your family.
We are here as a resource when you need. The entire Busby family is in our prayers."
Since that time we have also lost his brother. Just a nice reminder of how we came about our name for the FirstDuck Club.
God Bless.
