Sad, sad, sad day

Yesterday morning I received a phone call from a detective in Las Vegas. He was looking for my parents and had been unsuccessful since they were in Rexburg visiting my youngest brother and wife. He asked me if I am the sister to Ryan Rich. I told him that I am and he told me that he had passed away.

Ryan was born on June 20th, 1974. Two years after me. He was an amazing man! He was living in Las Vegas finishing up his residency in Family Medicine and hoped to make his home again close to us so he could be with his lovely, and very sad little 9 year old daughter.

He died in a car crash on I-5 and I-215 on January 4th at 1:15 pm. (we did not find out until January 5th around 9:15-9:30 am) We don't know many details and hope to find out more soon.

I am so grateful for the time I had to get to know him... particularly the last 6 months. He overcame many, many difficult obstacles and is a huge example to us in our lives on how we should live, act and not to ever give up hope.

I will miss his bright blue eyes, him telling me I am foxy (even when I wasn't), his big bear hugs, his deap laugh, the "shaggy dog" stories that would go on and on, his grateful phone calls when he would call and say he was just thinking of me and appreciated all that we did for him and many, many other great things.

I am so grateful that he was able to spend Christmas break at home and New Years with my parents. Also, I'm glad that we were able to go to dinner with him before he had to head back at Thanksgiving... I am just grateful for him!

I love you Ryan!!! And can't wait until you are able to give me a hug once again. You will be missed dearly!!! And I am so, so sorry for my sweet parents for having to go through the biggest heart ache of their lives... I love you! To my wonderful brothers and sister - I love you - we have to keep going - he would want us to laugh and enjoy life (with a M&M McFlurry and two apple pies in our hands). And, sweet, sweet little Rylee... words can not express how much your daddy loved you - you were the reason he kept going - we love you so much- you have your daddy beautiful blue eyes!!!

Thank-you to all of my great friends and family who have called, stopped by, dropped by food or flowers, prayed for us, or even thought of us. We really do appreciate you. We are blessed!