In Memory

Rick Spaine - Class Of 1967

Richard Spaine, 63, of Hayfork died Sunday [December 9, 2012] at home. Arrangements are being handled by Forrest Funeral Home in Weaverville (623-4144).

 

Published in Redding Record Searchlight on December 12, 2012


Source: Legacy.com

"I am the bearer of sad news, my brother Rick died in his sleep early Sunday morning, December 9, 2012. He was having serious heart problems. We were in the process of moving him off the mountain into a small Senior Living Apt complex in his little town of Hayfork this week. He lived for the past 30 years a fairly Spartan life, off-grid in a small, remote cabin. I think it broke his heart to move off the mountain. I spent this past week in CA settling his affairs and retrieving his ashes so they can be interred in Loveland with my mom.

He was a talented guy, quite athletic, a poet, an artist, well read, and above all an individualist. He marched to his own beat, defied conventions, and, yes, was difficult and a trial to his parents, at times. But for me he was a loving brother and my first play mate. I followed him everywhere and he allowed me to tag along… we went on forays recreating scenes from our favorite 50s TV shows – Swamp Fox, Davy Crockett, Combat, Paladin… we explored creek bottoms, lakes, seaside, and forest… we caught frogs, night crawlers, tree lizards, snakes, fish, and wasps….

 

He had a great curiosity about him. He gave me my first car – a 1964 VW bus with polka dots and peace symbols (my mom made me give it back immediately!) As adults, we kept in touch with visits, letters and phone calls. He taught me about organic gardening and tree pruning. He held a variety of jobs: baggage handler, restaurant owner, cook for wildfire crews, machinist at a craft woodworking shop, and construction/renovation of cabins and pole barns. His act, of which I am most grateful - He comforted mom in her last days, visiting, cradling her in his arms and, yes, the big guy spoon-fed his mother that last week. Above all he made her smile.

It has been an odd and lonely trek, tracing the footsteps of his life, picking up the remnants and assessing the final tally. It is my belief that he and mom are sailing across the universe, exploring the outer reaches together - with Rick’s insatiable curiosity and Betty’s wonderment. Ashes to ashes and cosmic dust to cosmic dust…..  "       Trish

We are having a private service for the immediate family at our church
----   Larry Spaine