Richard Anthony Manriquez

Richard Anthony Manriquez was born March 31, 1952. I would like to share some of the special things about Richard.

Richards love for his parents and sisters and brother was unending. He was so lucky to have a family full of laughter, teasing and sharing. He loved puns, joking around and seeing his siblings grow and have lovely families of their own.

At around 16 Richard felt a calling to give his presence on the mission field. At a time when most guys are just concerned with cars, girls, and all the typical teenage things, Richard saved up enough money to fly to Peru to spend some time with the missionaries there. He took lots of pictures and had a remarkable time. He brought back a blow-gun that the people down there used to hunt and he learned to use it proficiently. He had lots of stories to tell and it was a time of great meaning in his life and his devotion to God. This, above all other things, was what attracted me to him - his spiritual connection was so admirable.

Richard loved fishing! When the children were of any age, we would pack them up and up to Big Bear we would go to fish. Baby playpens, carseats, and all.it didnt stop us from getting out to the lakes to fish. We enjoyed so many times with our family members Chris and Annie, Wayne, and Dora at the lakes from Mammoth to Big Bear.

Richard enjoyed music and being a guitar player. He would pick up his guitar and have me sing along all throughout our life together. He loved Christian music as well as the Beatles! Richard had a mitral valve replacement in 1991 and several years later had a stroke. He lost use of his left arm at that trying time. As rehab therapy, he would pick up his guitar and try to play. Through this he was successful in regaining use of his arm again. We had to endure six weeks of IVs at home after the stroke and that was my first lesson in caring for him medically.

Richard couldnt wait for baseball season! Being a Dodger fan, he would rarely miss a televised game and taught me to appreciate the game as well. We spent so many evenings together listening to Vin Scully and many times fell asleep to Vins soothing voice.

The happiest times in our lives were, of course, the births of our children. Richard was a real family man and loved Christine, Genevieve and Ricky. He was a great provider and always put everyone first before himself. Even as old as we had become, he would still worry and be concerned with the daily struggles the kids would have and always was The Dad for them.

With the birth of our first granddaughter, Madelyn, Richard became the happiest Grandpa on earth! Madelyn and Richard had such a special bond. She loved me, Grandma, but especially LOVED Richard, her Grandpa!!! She was the apple of his eye and he was so special to her. His eyes would light up and he would smile every time I would mention her during his illness. He would say, She is so sweet. She also loved love to look at pictures of Grandpa and they would always make her smile. I know he felt blessed to be able to babysit her each Wednesday. He looked forward to it each week. He was also very much looking forward to his grandson that is on the way.

Richard and I had a name for each otherLashort for Bubala (what Gomez called Morticia on the Addams Family).

Richard was a miracle in that he had so many battles to fight: heart valve replacement, stroke, myasthenia gravis diagnosis - a muscular dystrophy disease. As a result of the medications for the MG, Richard developed diabetes and had to deal with that also. He also battled depression during the flare-ups of the MG, which made the battle twice as hard to win. He always came through, though.

During these last few months of acute medical trauma, we just kept telling each other that we were a team and we would get through it. We always had a squeeze in our hands for each other. Three squeezes meant I love you. Even though there was depression, we had moments of everlasting love, tender conversations, and kisses.

I know the love of my life is with our Lord and Savior now and he is free from illness and painstill I have lost my lovemy best friendand companion. There are no words for the shock and grief I carry now. Half of me is in another place.

Ill see you on the other side, my Richard.
ALL my love,
Helenyour La