A Fond Remembrance of Dick Rapp

Lima lost one of their great citizens earlier this month.  Dick Rapp was a vibrant man who was active in his community.  He will be missed by many.

He left behind his wife of many years, Joyce.  She has many fond memories.  Here is one ….

 

THE COACH
by Joyce Rapp

Once upon a time when our children were still sliding into home plate, I wrote a story about the Little League culture…that is, a home with the COACH who began his career by propping-up the current two year old and wrapping his pudgy little fingers around a ping pong paddle, then toss a ball at the paddle and yell “Swing”!

Always obedient, they swung at balls, Grandma, lamps and our pastorr who had stopped in for a visit. Then, when these mini-Mantles outgrew paddles, Coach transferred practice to the backyard lilacs and tulips. I didn’t complain. It was nice to feel safe again in the living room… until.one of my sheets, hanging from the clothesline, was imprinted with the Spaulding logo.. Quietly and calmly, I sent an inter-family memo to my husband that read, “How about Little League”?

It worked. His eyes sparkled and a wide grin creased his face when he said “yes” and he became that Godlike creature called “Coach” for the next twenty years.
Our Coach left us suddenly a few weeks ago.. We miss him. Our cat, Leetee, senses the loss too because he curls up in his Master’s rocker each day now and his Grandson commented last weekend, “It’s a good thing that Gramps didn’t see that one” when the Bills dropped another pass. Maybe … but deep down, I think our Coach is too busy building a ball diamond in between a cluster of fluffy clouds so that another group of small angels can Swing and then yell, “Merry Christmas, Coach”!

Published by and courtesy of Lake County Echo