I was lucky enough to participate in the 2011 Graduate Summer Seminar at the
ANS. For the first few weeks, Rick led the entire class through lectures, introducing the study of
numismatics to graduate students from across the country. In the second half of the program, I was matched to
work directly with Rick on a die study of a
Republican Roman denarius issue (C. Alli Bala,
Crawford 336,
Sydenham 595). Rick was so modest, so humble, and so friendly that I was truly stunned to learn, over the course of the seminar, just how accomplished and respected he was in the
field of
numismatics.
I am deeply saddened to learn of
his passing. I suppose it is a reflection of
his humility that, after two months, I only just now learned of
his demise. Though I've visited this site numerous times as a guest, I joined
Forum Ancient Coins precisely to share my grief and thoughts on this wonderful, charming, caring
man. Rick was incredibly helpful in my individual research and will stand as a formative figure in my numismatic life, shaping my ongoing interest in ancient coinage even as I have left the world of academia. I know Rick touched many lives, and it brings some solace to know with utmost certainty that
his contributions will continue to be seen in the further scholarship of those he worked with directly, or whose
work was indirectly influenced by
his own efforts.
Thank you, Rick, for your dedication to the
field; for your
generosity of time; and for your friendly smile - even when I was most stumped by my die study, you were always willing to put down whatever you yourself were working on to give me a moment of your precious time. I just with you
had been issued more time to share with the world.
