Remembering Rick:

Rick Obituary

Richard Gary "Rick" Withers

September 21, 1954 - July 31, 2017

Rick is survived by his loving wife Joan Kathleen, son Adam, daughter Darlana (Gregory Bartle), two granddaughters Lucy and Tessa, his mother Maxine, and sister Linda (Gordon McKenzie). Predeceased by father Ed Withers.

Rick was a respected leader in Education and computer technology in BC until he retired from ERAC Sept 2011.

Rick was raised in West Vancouver. He excelled in sports and math at Hillside Secondary School, and earned his BA and BEd in Math and Computer Science at UBC, before earning the honour of being the first student enrolled in Computer Science Masters Program at UBC in 1977.

His first teaching position in 1978 was in MRSS where he proved to be innovative and where he met Joan. By 1980 he was selected to be District Principal in Charge of Computer Technology before moving on to Victoria and ETC and The Ministry of Education. He continued to be a leader in computer technology in BC until he retired from ERAC Sept 2011.

Rick accepted the Alzheimers Diagnosis in late 2012 knowing the family would always support him. He fought the illness with grace and calm.

In recognition of his passion for baseball and coaching kids, his family and friends had two softball dugouts built in Rick's honour for Lakehill Little League, located at Ambassador Park, Saanich, BC.

There will be a gathering of friends, family, former colleagues, sports fans, pickle-ballers, golfers, tennis and squash players, etc. A Memorial Tea will be held at 10:00 AM in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Monday, August 14, 2017 with Jim Lauder officiating. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

Bob Faith: Baseball Player

Rick didn't take playing ball for granted in Mesa! He was always so appreciative and said how much he loved being out with us!! Excited to be playing ball every game, I realized too it wasn't something I should be taking for granted!! Rick loved the Venture Out Vipers and I loved the way Dean made sure to get Rick to every game!

Maxine Withers: Mother

A Few of Grandma's Memories:

Delivering "Regal Sales Catalogue" Xmas Sales (at 14 and 15 years old) with Don McBrayne--Son of West Vancouver's Police Chief in Maxine's Car. Had to wait extra 6 months for Drivers License.

1st Yr of University. Rick Woke up Mom+Dad on 8am Saturday Morning wanting to talk to them. OMG! What did he do?? Smash someone's car? Got some girl pregnant? etc. He was sitting on the Couch, with a Baseball Bat in his hands, banging the Floor. He says "I want to be a Teacher! Phew!

Rick was pitching in Little League. Umpire calls too many "Strikes" as "Balls". The Next ball was aimed right at the Umpire's HEAD! "Red Hair, you Know"

5-Pin Bowling in the 1960s, before Electronic Pin Setters. The boy has to Jump out of the way whenever Rick Bowled.

Rick's Infatuation with this lovely Blonde from Richmond--their lovely Wedding in Richmond.

His Full Page of Instructions on How to Feed + Bathe Adam when Maxine Babysat for a night or Two. Forgetting She'd raised him perfectly fine.

I could go on.....

Ed, Maxine, Rick and Linda had Great Years Growing Up Together. It has Been Passed on to their Families.

I'd like to thank Everyone for their love and Caring, Especially Joan, Adam+Bosco, Darlana+Greg, Lucy+Tessa, Barb+Des, Michelle+Jan.

Darlana Withers: My Dad:

Just like Adam, my dad taught me many things, and I have followed his life path is several ways:

Notably his love of languages, travel, participating in a wide variety of sports, his teaching and coaching and his loyalty to family and friends.

He also passed on his red-head genes. Now, as you know, the stereotype is for red heads they have fiery tempers

I don't think I fall into that category, nor dad. The Rick you know Dad is calm, kind and collected,

However, he had his moments: Here are some occasions that his mom Maxine remembers:

1st year university, he woke parents up at around 8 am to talk. Grandma was worried: He was sitting on the couch , banging a baseball bat against the floor:Had he got someone pregnant? Smashed somebody's car? But then: I want to be a teacher. Phew

While pitching in little league, the umpire calls ball that Dad thought to be a strike, and next ball aimed at the umpire.

5-pin bowling used to have live pin setters, but when Rick bowled with such power, they'd have to jump out of the way.

My Dad also believed in following the rules, and taught us to do the same except for: when around 14 or 15 years old, he and the son of the West Vancouver's chief of police, Don McBrain, "borrowed" his parents car to deliver xmas sales. They almost got away with it too: his parents caught him pulling into the driveway.

Grandma also remembers how Dad wanted HER to follow the rules.

When leaving a young Adam in her and Grandpa's care, Dad provided a full page instructions on how to feed and bathe him

...I can admit to doing the same for my mom, Nana.

Grandma remembers her husband Ed, Rick, Linda and herself having many great years growing up together.

My grandma, Rick's mom, or GG, as your great-grandchildren call her would like to thank everyone for their love and care for Rick, especially Joan, Adam, Darlana, Greg, Lucy, Tessa and Bosco.

As well as Barb, Des, Michelle and Jan.

There's many things that Dad passed on to me, and I can see already how my girls have a lot of Dad in them too:

Lucy's beginner French and her happy, active demeanour, and although 7 week-old Tessa's personality has yet to develop, she has Dad's red-headed genes.

Jane Johnston: Coworker

I worked with Rick at the Ministry of Education from 1999-2001. He was a scary-brilliant guy who could tell you minute detail about things. Truly inspirational.

At the same time we coached Darlana's fastball team. He came up with the drills and I made them fun, so the team told me.

I also played ball with him at the ministry league. I call tell you that in each situation he was a gentleman. He respected his peers and he was respected by them. He always did the right thing and he was forever talking about his family.

He loved you a lot and you were forefront in his mind. I ran into him a few years later, after I had kids and he was great at helping me obtain some contracts from the ministry. I have very fond memories of him!

Joan Withers : Why did I marry Rick?

I married him for the same reason that we honour him today:

His loyalty, his trustworthiness, and his integrity.

While Rick said he liked my long legs and my smile--I saw his character.

One of the first things I noticed was his confidence in himself-- He also liked himself.

The second thing I noticed were his parents--Ed treated Maxine with respect and admiration.

I noticed Rick helped others up. He was supportive. He did not criticize-- he offered suggestions.

I was not disappointed.

He still loves his family. He has always helped his mom.

He thanks the care staff for all they do. On the third floor, he is often seen patting the ladies gently on their shoulders.

He always wanted the best for his family and would be thrilled to see his Legacy:

• Lucy throwing the ball around with Uncle Adam and Bosco.
• Tessa running the bases with her dad. And Darlana teaching and coaching the next generation of strong Leaders.
• And me, enjoying being a Nana x 2, and embracing life.

We hope to see many of you out next year for our first annual family fun ball game at Ambassador Park. I'm sure the 2-Baggers will help to arrange it. Maybe the pickle-ballers will cheer us all on and Maxine will keep score from the new dugouts.

Thank You for coming today to honour Rick. A very special husband, a devoted father, son, and loyal friend.

Joan Withers: Writeup

Sept. 21, 1954 - July 31, 2017

Rick accepted the Alzheimers Diagnosis in late 2012 knowing the family would always support him.

He fought the illness with grace and calm. Rick was a real gentle soul, courteous and polite and loving until the end.

He was easy to love in return. He will be remembered for being hardworking, honest and trustworthy. He loved his family above all.

Rest in peace Rick. You've earned it.

Darlana Bartle / Withers: Daughter

My dad, Rick Withers passed away yesterday at the age of 62 after almost 5 years with Alzheimer's disease.

He was well cared for, well loved and fought the horrific disease as long as he could.

He was a wonderful father, sweet grandfather, kind brother, helpful son, loving husband, dedicated coach, and focused athlete.

A patient teacher, effective manager, avid traveler, and good friend to many.

Marilyn Goode: Coaching Darlana + Softball Girls

Mostly what I remember about Rick was his sense of humour and sharing a lot of laughs and eye-rolls in the dugout after one of the girls did or said something! The day Jen showed up to a game in a full hula costume was a highlight!!! Rebecca throwing her bat certainly caused both of us some grey hair. Mandy's gum snapping always warranted an eye roll of two. Getting thrown in the pool at Mike's house, at our end of year party, was pretty funny and cold, as I recall! The girls on the team certainly enjoyed it :-)

The other thing I will remember about Rick was he always treated me as an equal and with respect on the ball field and off, a true gentleman:-) Going to the Canadians was a wonderful experience for all of us because of Rick's sense of humour, good coaching skills and a wonderful manner with the girls, umps and fellow coaches and managers we made it through with shining colours!! We didn't win but we all certainly have good memories of the whole experience and a lot of that has to do with Rick.

Here's to you Rick, a great coach and manager and a wonderful human being to boot!! It's a real pleasure to share in this special day with you today!! Take good care and please know that you have so many friends who are with you every day on this journey called life:-)

Michelle Jasper: Rick's Care Aid for 2.5 years

Rick was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, dog master & friend! ❤

Warm blessings to you all with my sincere thanks & privilege to have been given the opportunity to be a companion to such a wonderful man!

You've made me feel like part of a very special family!😇

Digby Leigh: Friend since Age 13.

I met Rick in 1967, when we were both 13 playing Babe Ruth baseball at Ambleside Park.

Baseball was our common bond as teenagers.

We played and coached together over many years.

When we were 16, I remember our coaches, Ed and Bob would stop at the pub and buy some off sales beer for us as we waited in the car -- What different times they were.

When we were 17, we coached 13 & 14 year old boys.

Next it was off to UBC where we spent four years together enjoying the fraternity life.

We always stayed in touch, becoming grownups, getting married and having kids.

So many special memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life, such as:

• My wife Kathy (who I met just before her Grade 12 year) turned out to be the student teacher of her math class at Hillside-Rick;
• I learned a lesson from Ed. Always have a case of beer hidden around the house
• Christmas Eves at the Withers
• Rick's crazy red Afro

Chips Mullins:

I played little league with Rick and his dad coached with Lyle Nanson.

We were the Cypress Park Orioles. I have a bat at home with the names of everyone on the team.

In Grade 8, we take to sneaking out of Crowther’s homeroom study class to play ping-pong. At that time, the ping-pong table is in the dungeon next to the cafeteria. Later, it is moved to the unfinished basement under the team teaching area.

Crowther doesn't like us cutting his class. He has already warned us not to play ping-pong during homeroom.

One day Rick and I are happily playing ping-pong during home room class. Crowther shows up. He is as mad as a wet hen.

Background:

Crowther is a legendary Hillside nutter. He organizes our home room as the court of Louis the XIVth and names students as members of the court. One day he has us close all the blinds and, in the dark, light the gas straight out of the double-taps on the science benches. The scene looks like the Kuawaiti oil fields from the air at night, when Saddam Hussein burns them.

Crowther disappears from Hillside before our Grade 9 year, but we all have our recollections of him.

Years later, I come across Crowther in a pub on Vancouver Island. He is living nearby and has made a fortune in real estate. He spends a long time in the pub telling me about a childhood friend of his in England who has a plastic testicle.

It helps to remember that Rick is mistreated this particular day at the hands of a true eccentric.

Crowther marches us to the principal’s office. Mr. Wright is on duty. Mr. Wright is a fair man, but he is having a bad day. Crowther puts him in a bind.

I am feeling badly. Ping pong is my passion. Rick has other, bigger interests. I have got him into trouble. He was playing ping pong to humour me, because I bugged him to play. Things gets worse for Rick. As a result of earlier adventures, he is on the “next time that boy comes to the office he is getting strapped” list. He is a nice guy who can’t help having fun and getting into trouble.

When he comes back to class, Rick says his hand really hurts. He is our hero.

Gordon McKenzie--The Brother in Law:

I'd like to talk about two of Rick's Passions -- besides Baseball: Golf and Craft Beer.

In 2003, the Gay Tour was launched by Cap'n Gregg Little, who is here today. (btw: G.A.Y. stands for Golfing and Yachting)

The design point was get 4 guys on multiple boats every year who would tour the various Golf Courses on the Gulf Islands for 3 or 4 days, playing golf, eating and drinking with boat jaunts between Islands.

The Tour included cash prizes, and the "Most Improved Golfer" received the coveted "Green Jacket".

Each year the Tour grew in number of boats. As Captains, we would bring on new crew from time to time and they were affectionately called "Cabin Boys" --basically the captains "Gofer" for that year.

In 2007, Rick joined Team "Seaclusion" (My 28-foot 1978 Uniflite Boat) as a Cabin Boy.

I'm pretty sure Joan feared the worst, waving Goodbye to Rick from the dock. There are pictures of the Team somewhere on Adam's Slideshow.

Rick won the Green Jacket his first year on our team. Unfortunately, We couldn't find any pictures of that event. Remember back in 2008, iPhones had not been invented yet. However, there are pictures of Rick handing the Jacket over in 2008 to another "Team Seaclusion" member -- Joe Harrison.

I'd like you to think of Ricks size, add an extra long shaft to a golf club, and basic physics says a golf ball could be crushed a long distance. Rick did this at every tee off. Unfortunately, remaining on the fairway tended to be his challenge from time to time. Though He never got lost walking around all those trees.

Think of 18 holes on a hot spring day and refreshments were always in high demand. Over the years we looked forward to his latest Craft Beer find of the year. The Chocolate Stout had us stumped one year.

As a sidebar, during Ricks tenure on the Seaclusion, we were the winning-est boat in the fleet -- much to the chagrin of Cap'n Gregg.

I wish I could tell you some great stories about Rick on the tour, but as Rick knows, just like Las Vegas, "What goes on on the tour, stays on the tour"

Katie Gracey: Niece

In 2013, my mom Sheryl, was diagnosed with cancer. Rick and Joan visited us in the Cayman Islands, and were caring and so supportive of us during her treatment.

Their generosity helped my mom with her treatments during a very difficult time.

I remember Rick's kindness and friendly attitude.

He was so smart and definitely someone to look up to!

Dean Kelly, Coach of "The Vipers":

Rick showed up in "Venture Out", Mesa, Arizona, November 2013 eager to play softball.

Seeing his playing skills at our pre-season practices, I put him on our Team, The Vipers, and knew he would be a good fit.

The guys on the team all welcomed Rick aboard and enjoyed having him for a teammate.

Eventually we all noticed the sad reality that we had to keep an eye out for him, such as me holding onto his glove and have him sit on the bench by me when we were at bat so I could remind him when to bat and when to go back out to left field and to watch me when I needed him to adjust his position for the opposing batters.

He did a good job of doing just that.

Rick was a very good player and teammate and we wish he could have continued to play for us awhile longer.

God Bless ya Rick

Sherry-Ann Walters: 1980s Baby Sitter

Sherry-Ann remembers the time Rick caught her with boys while she was babysitting Darlana and I. They were all in front family room. Suddenly, The front door opened, (Rick had forgotten something), and the boys all ran for the kitchen. Rick chased them out the back door, he was smiling + laughing because the boys were so scared.

Peter Jennings: Fellow 1990s Baseball Coach

My memories of Rick will always be the good time I had coaching with him.

He made up for my lack of baseball knowledge and I always loved the way he was so positive with the kids all the time.

Ashley / Eugene Begemann: 1980s Baby Sitter

Some Stories + Notes I remember about practically-living with you guys for 7 years!

• Rec. Beach 1988-ish
  • Rick once brought the whole Family+I to "Rec. Beach", the NUDE beach!
  • Not sure how they thought that was a good idea. Lol!
  • Adam and I were running down the steps, and I remember seeing a couple ugly old guys walking up the stairs, naked! OMG!
  • Rick, Joan Darlana were still making their way down with Baby Darlana.
  • Adam and I waited on the beach and everyone was walking around completely naked, WTF!
  • We didn't stay long. Seriously Gross!
• Parties
  • Rick and Joan threw a big party in Mission for their teacher friends.
  • They told everyone to bring their kids, because they had an awesome babysitter in the basement. ME!!
  • There were loads of kids, but that wasn't a problem.
  • We took turns on the swings. The parents chatted on the big deck in the back.
  • The sandbox was loaded with all Adam's Tonka trucks.
  • At the end of the night some folks paid me extra, and I got a few extra babysitting jobs because of it.
• Ricks Driving:
  • I remember Joan buying a car in Kelowna, a blue Hyundai Excel.
  • Afterwards, Rick needed to drop me off in Port Coquitlam for my Grandmother's Anniversary dinner.
  • Rick was a speed demon driver, so Rick, Adam and I drove home in the Camry because we knew he'd get there faster. I got there just in time!
  • He then turned around drove back to Mission and STILL beat Joan and Baby Darlana home!
  • Rick always drove his Toyota with the gas light on. I always thought we'd get stranded one day, but it never happened
  • Joan would always be scared about his speedy driving, but we always got where we were going in record time.
  • Rick never wore a seat belt, and would always sit with his arm over the passenger seat and his left leg up.
• Adam Choking.
  • One Winter Night, when Adam was around 2 or 3 [Darlana wasn't born yet], he almost died!
  • He was choking on something, and BLUE!!!
  • Rick wasn't home at the time.
  • Joan called 911, and then ran across the street to MY house Adam in his Blue pjs.
  • I was scared shit-less.
  • My mom [Corrie], got you breathing again.
• Birch Bay:
  • I traveled with your family lots. Birch Bay especially!
  • Adam and I where glued at the hip.
  • I favoured Adam because Darlana, as a baby got more attention, and it bothered me.
  • Rick would keep checking on us in the pool, because we wouldn't leave it for most of every single day.
• Shuswap:
  • We also often went to Barb+Des' Cabin on Shuswap Lake.
  • Rick insisted that I learn to water ski, and eventually I did
  • But the water had a lot of grass/reeds and I kept freaking out when it touched me.
  • I kept calling it seaweed, but Rick kept saying its not ocean--therefore its NOT seaweed.
• Misc Random Thoughts+Stories:
  • Joan didn't like to bake, so every time I came over I'd bake with Adam. Rick would put in requests. If we made a mess, there were no complaints.
  • Rick set up a Computer for Adam next to his, so Adam could play on his and he could still get work done.
  • Rick taught me to play Backgammon. We would play for hours, often past midnight. We almost played "hearts".
  • Rick built a huge play structure with Swings in Mission. I helped to get it done faster.
  • Rick and Joan would put Darlana in a white cardboard box on the kitchen table-- Instead of a bassinet. Very strange.
  • Rick would always [sun]burn like a lobster.
  • Rick had a Big afro, and a full-on beard, but would seemling-randomly shave it all off without warning.
  • In 1989[Grade 11], I house-cleaned and babysat for Heather and [husband]???? McCain.
  • Adam and I made so many bloody forts in the basement.
  • When we went to McDonalds, Joan would get always me a happy meal. But Rick would get me a Big Mac!
  • When I moved to Maple Ridge, and Rick would drive me home on Fridays for the weekend, so I could spend the weekends with you guys.
  • Rick worked boat loads.
  • You Withers' hosted my 16th Birthday party.
  • Your family[all of them] welcomed me as part of the family. It was my second home :). Especially Grandma and Grandpa Withers.It was seriously difficult for me when we left for the island.

Martin Young: Baseball Player: The 2-Baggers

Rick just rounded third and is heading for Home!

Erin Hay: Baseball Player: The 2-Baggers

So sorry to hear about Rick. He was a great coach and I think of him often.

Fay Cohoon: Baseball Player: The 2-Baggers

Thinking of you and your family. Rick will always be a part of me!.

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