Al Schwartz and I are still fossilizing-- mostly Al-- 2/3rds leftovers of the RST. Although our friendship began with a schoolyard fight back in Muzzey, you became a true friend. I could count on you. I remember sitting on the sunporch enjoying the gentle kindness of your mother-- and I recall fixing the motorcycles you loved like your 1969 Kawasaki 350S. I also recall your black 1976 Harley Davidson 1000cc motorcycle. You brought it to my house on 06 April 1976, barely 24 hours old. It had 63 miles on it.
You became the first of the RST to fulfill our Harley vows. Al did with his 1984, and me? Well, to tell the truth I'd choose a retro Sportster from the 1970s like Michael Altobelli who pulled up on his cherry red Sportster after working hard all summer. As I wrote in my journal on that day you drove up, "I probably won't get a chance [to get a Harley] because I should have children instead of motorcycles. I can give them a chance to have their own lives instead of enjoying mine with this kind of pleasure..." Wish I could introduce my seven kids to you, Slade. They'd like you. Everyone liked you.
Wish I had 63 miles on me again and it was 1976. I'd stick closer to you and help you ward off the gremlins that for some reason beguiled you out of life at 26. You're a good man, Slade. Thanks for being a true friend. Many miss you. In the meantime I'll tell your story and we'll all laugh as we once did.
We sure had us some fun times. You, Lee and myself riding our motorcycles everywhere. The Grapevine Ave parties....you trying to ride over a stonewall and onto the leg breakers lawn......saved you that time but in the end it seems that I failed.
Sure do wish you were still around. You had so much going for you, your life was fast tracking in the good lane. I do wish that we could talk now, maybe I could learn something about you that I missed before.
Slade, you and I were best friends in elementary school. We went on separate paths after that. How I wish we had stayed closer together. I remember when your father passed and how hard that was on you. Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to stay closer to you Slade. So many great memories with you man. What a grat athlete you were - you could run faster and jump higher than any of us. Rest in peace my friend.
R Lee Richan
Aw, Slade,
you surely are missed.
Al Schwartz and I are still fossilizing-- mostly Al-- 2/3rds leftovers of the RST. Although our friendship began with a schoolyard fight back in Muzzey, you became a true friend. I could count on you. I remember sitting on the sunporch enjoying the gentle kindness of your mother-- and I recall fixing the motorcycles you loved like your 1969 Kawasaki 350S. I also recall your black 1976 Harley Davidson 1000cc motorcycle. You brought it to my house on 06 April 1976, barely 24 hours old. It had 63 miles on it.
You became the first of the RST to fulfill our Harley vows. Al did with his 1984, and me? Well, to tell the truth I'd choose a retro Sportster from the 1970s like Michael Altobelli who pulled up on his cherry red Sportster after working hard all summer. As I wrote in my journal on that day you drove up, "I probably won't get a chance [to get a Harley] because I should have children instead of motorcycles. I can give them a chance to have their own lives instead of enjoying mine with this kind of pleasure..." Wish I could introduce my seven kids to you, Slade. They'd like you. Everyone liked you.
Wish I had 63 miles on me again and it was 1976. I'd stick closer to you and help you ward off the gremlins that for some reason beguiled you out of life at 26. You're a good man, Slade. Thanks for being a true friend. Many miss you. In the meantime I'll tell your story and we'll all laugh as we once did.
Lee Richan
Salem, Utah
June 2012
Alan Schwartz
Slade,
We sure had us some fun times. You, Lee and myself riding our motorcycles everywhere. The Grapevine Ave parties....you trying to ride over a stonewall and onto the leg breakers lawn......saved you that time but in the end it seems that I failed.
Sure do wish you were still around. You had so much going for you, your life was fast tracking in the good lane. I do wish that we could talk now, maybe I could learn something about you that I missed before.
Rest In Peace my friend
Alan Schwartz
Larry Way (Way)
Hi Slade:
Who you were was a secret of who I have become.
I remember all of our high school hang outs.
Then there were all of those after school weight lifting sessions we had, starting in the 7th grade.
Thank you for the mutual friendship, encouragement and preparation for the future.
Wish we could have shared more.
Larry Way
LHS 72
Paul DiGiammarino
Slade, you and I were best friends in elementary school. We went on separate paths after that. How I wish we had stayed closer together. I remember when your father passed and how hard that was on you. Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to stay closer to you Slade. So many great memories with you man. What a grat athlete you were - you could run faster and jump higher than any of us. Rest in peace my friend.
Paull