In Memoriam: Rick Lighthiser - Venture-Lieutenant of Northern NJ

[Shivok]

It is with deepest regrets that I announce the passing of Richard Lighthiser, a lifelong gamer and Pathfinder enthusiast today at approximately 4pm. Up until a month ago Richard was the Venture-Lieutenant for Northern New Jersey. He earned his 5th star in April of this year and did an amazing job at running games and juggling life.

Gaming was one of the things that kept him going even in his toughest days. to him it was just not a hobby but a passion, one that he used to bring joy, fun and excitement to all who gamed at his tables. He traveled to conventions near and distant to get a chance to drop into the fantasy world we all are fond of and immerse himself and his friends in tales of wonder and excitement.

Rick was one of those players who always found the positive in everything, even when things looked bleak. He was the mediator when gamers would have their fits with each other over some real or imagined slight. Purely, he was someone who you always wanted at your table, always ready to play and eager to help others achieve the most out of an adventure.

Even in his waning days Rick continued to fight on and enjoyed himself by playing a home game every other Sunday, and two online adventure paths during the weekdays. Tomorrow, he would have played Part 4 of The Eyes of Ten series and retired his character Chandler of Sarenrae. As his GM I was looking forward to see what reward he would get in the finale.

Even today, Rick had his gaming sheets right on his gaming table ready for tomorrow's adventure. His wife Sarah, said "Rick would have wanted you to finish the game". So she allowed us to take his character sheet and give him the proper send-off that any great gamer should have. Tomorrow, Rick's going to get a chance to finish the game like he would have liked.

Rick will be missed by his friends and family, but we all know that he would not want us to be sad in this moment. He would of liked that we celebrate his life, his love and his passion, and he would've wanted us to live life to the fullest.

I valued Rick not only for his positive attitude, loyalty, and perseverance, but mainly because he was my friend.

You will be missed Rick.

[Zetser_Requiem]

Very sorry to hear this. May the Dawnflower guide him to the afterlife.

[Michael Brock]

He will be missed. Rest in peace friend.

[Gornil]

Sad to hear this, best wishes to his family. May he rest in peace.

[IronHelixx]

Thoughts and Prayers with his family and friends.

[Preston Hudson]

My thoughts to his family and friends during this time. May he enjoy his games with the greats who have gone before.

[Thea Peters]

Sad new indeed, Rick as a VO that I never got to meet and I will forever be sad that I wasn't able to.

sprinkles black glitter on the ground and sits mournfully for a fallen brother

[Mike McFarland]

Rick sounds like a wonderful person to have known. My condolences.

[Mortikar]

It inspires me to hear of somone so dedicated to making sure everyone had such a good time. He is an example to follow. My heart goes out to his community of gamers. Sending good thoughts New Jersey's way.

[Vanessa Hoskins]

May Rick and his family find peace in his passing. My condolences to all who knew him; he sounds like an amazing person.

[Wombats]

So sorry to hear this :(

[Dustin Allen]

I wish I could have known him. My deepest sympathies. I am glad you get to give him a proper send off. I'm sure he'll be watching.

[Northron]

Rick sounds like the best of men. My condolences.

[Talgeron]

Condolences from Knoxville. My wife and I will keep his family in our thoughts.

[Hawkwen Agricola]

Condolences and deepest sympathies to his friends and family.

[Martin Shelby]

Sympathies and thoughts to family & friends. Sounds like a true gent.

[Big Kyle]

Best wishes to him, his family, and his friends.

May his memory be a beacon of awesome.

[Darth Bass]

Inspiring and saddening. I wish his family and friends all the best. The community was lucky to have him.

[Eric Clingenpeel]

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, June. I'll be keeping Rick's family and friends in my prayers.

[Nuit]

Another deserving a seat with Gigax at the great gaming table. May his soul live on in all he touched and helped enjoy this great pass time of ours.

[Sad TOZ]

:(

[Alexander Nudd]

He certainly will be missed very much. I have his Feymire Crocodile on my desk that I borrowed at the last convention we were at together. Was planning on giving it back to him at Dreamation. :(

Condolences to you guys, and Rick's family. I'm sure he'd appreciate you guys taking his character through the last Part of Eyes of the Ten.

[Adam Daigle]

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Peace, Rick.

[thunderspirit]

Aw, man, taht sucks. :-(

So sorry to read this. Heartfelt sympathies to his family and his friends.

[Lady Ophelia]

The church of Sarenrae mourns our loss, yet rejoices that he has gone to meet our faithful lady.

(OOC: Is there a place where we can send condolence cards?)

[Christopher Woldridge]

My heartfelt condolences to family and friends.

[downerbeautiful]

Condolences extended to his family and friends.

I hope Chandler rolls all the 20s tomorrow.

[Jeffrey Fox]

My condolences. I've only had a few brief experiences with Rick, but he was a great member of the community and he gave so much more than 100% all the time. He gave every thing he could.

He will be missed.

[Corax "the honest thief"]

I am sorry for Ricks passing. I hope yours guys group rips through part 4 like a hurricane. Is there anything the community might be able to do??

I would request that Rick would gain a paizo volunteer coin Mike.

- James

[Fernando Bassini]

Terrible news, my condolences to the family and friends.

[Sarta]

Thanks June for relaying the news. My condolences to Richard's family, friends, and all who had the privelage to game with him.

[GreySector]

Unfortunately I never had the chance to meet him. My condolences to his family and friends. His loss diminishes us all.

EDIT: I will now raise a drink in his honor.

[Oath]

Rick was my first GM in PFS. He had such a wonderful way of gently teasing us when the party was about to be horribly foolish.

Goodnight Rick, and thank you for the memories.

[Kess, Humble Servant of Abadar]

Condolences from the Winnipeg Lodge.

[MatthewHudson]

Tragic news. Condolences from the Baltimore Maryland Lodge and may his achievements and dedication be forever remembered in the Society.

[William Ronald]

May Rick's memory be for a blessing and may his memory always be a comfort to his family and friends.

[LazarX]

I traveled to his house tonight with David Santana, and my spouse Valory Michael Lazar, we had just missed his passing, but we want you all to know that his family, even his non-gaming family is grateful for the support gaming and the gaming community gave to Rick in his final months. They credit even the online gaming we did with him for much of the quality of his final years. So his family thanks all of you that were part of his gaming life and friendship circles, and were not able to make it over tonight in person.

We are in the beginning stages of planning a charity auction of the parts of Rick's gaming collection that are not going to his family, the proceeds to go to his wife, Sarah. (He had "two or three" of everything:) More details to follow as they get settled.

Valory-Michael will be sitting with Sarah tonight. and our thoughts go out to her and Rick's other surviving family.

[Shane M.]

I truly hope Rick's family finds peace and solace even in these times. Having lost my mother recently, I know what they will be going through.

My and the wife's thoughts are with them.

[Shane M.]

James Apostolou wrote:

I am sorry for Ricks passing. I hope yours guys group rips through part 4 like a hurricane. Is there anything the community might be able to do??

I would request that Rick would gain a paizo volunteer coin Mike.

- James

A service coin in memory for a 5 star GM seems legit.

[dcjester]

My deepest condolences on the loss.

My his dice always roll high.

[LackofFocus]

My Condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

[Shraxle]

Dan and I traveled out from long island on free rpg day and Richard was the dm. All i can say is he had a certain magic about him. He was a great storyteller. The epitome of what we all aspire to be as pathfinders. He will be remembered always!

[Andreas Persson]

Condolences from the Swedish Pathfinder Lodge. My thoughts go to his family and friends.

[Brian Lefebvre]

Well doesn't that just suck. Rick was always a fun guy to play with. My condolences to his family.

[Dan Telford]

Sad news indeed.I wish I had got the chance to play more games with him.Like Shaxle said he was a natural story teller.He will be missed.

[Andrew Christian]

My condolences. It sounds like Rick has touched everyone positively, and that is indeed a blessing.

[ElyasRavenwood]

My condolences to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family

[pezlerpolychromatic]

We've lost one of our own. Our sympathies to family and friends.

[CanisDirus]

Baruch Dayan Emet. Deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.

[roll4initiative]

Sorry to hear about the loss of a wonderful guy. May you game forever at the great gaming table in the sky, Rick.