A Pro-life stalwart - Rich died Saturday after about a four month illness. He was 81. His wake is Tuesday 6-9PM at Holy Name of Mary Church in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, and funeral Wednesday at 10AM, Holy Name of Mary. Rich was active in many, many ministries at Holy Name.
What a great person. To quote Sister Lucy Marie of the Sisters of Life - "Such a great hero interceding for us – such a dear and kind man." She got it exactly right.
Rich's obituary is here - In Memory of Richard L. Fuerst June 17, 1933 - October 11, 2014 , and contains an extensive photo gallery if you'd care to peruse it. Rich had eight children. He lost the youngest - Theresa - to a car accident in 1997. Theresa had gotten motivated to involve herself in the Right to Life movement by her attendance at the great youth rally in Denver, with John Paul II, in 1993. Rich told several people that what motivated him to get heavily involved as an activist was the loss of Theresa.
This picture of Rich in May 2011 captures him perfectly.
And here he is at the March for Life in Washington, in January,2009. He's with Sr. Lucy.
Wonderful man. A big loss for our community. He led a great life, and he'll have a better heaven.