A Letter of Thanks
Rich Roat was my boss, but more so my friend. I haven’t been able to think very clearly since his passing last week, but I felt like I need to say thank you to him for what he meant to me, and so many others.
I first met Rich just over six years ago, but the story goes back further than that. I’ve been in the type business for 20 years, and had admired House Industries, the company Rich built with Andy Cruz, for years from afar. So I was very excited when I found the opportunity to potentially become a member of the team. Rich was welcoming from the start, and we soon found that I was a fit for the House family. As those of you who have met Rich know, he was always friendly, someone you could talk to immediately, and at length. What I’d lil to thank Rich for is his recognition of my potential, and the way he allowed me and all the people at House to grow and contribute in ways we didn’t always anticipate.
But Rich was so much more than just my manager. Many times he’d open up his home to me, and I was welcomed by his wife and family as if a long time friend. This is how I will remember Rich: as a warm, loving father, husband and friend. The time I spent with Rich and his wife taught me so much about life. I will always be thankful for the model he showed me of how to raise a family. I doubt I would be in the same place today without his influence.
It’s so tough to comprehend and deal with the loss, since the wounds are still so fresh. My thoughts will always be with his family, and those he was closest too. Today I would like to just thanks him for all that he gave me, and many others. But that’s just who he was.
Thanks, man.
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