An Anniversary today.

Maywood

Six years ago today I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down across the table with the Man, the Myth, the Legend, Mr. Richard A. Ormandy, the one and only @ricko, near his home in New York State. It was something we'd talked about for a few years and finally had the chance to make happen. By strange coincidence, yesterday happens to be the 1 year Anniversary of his most untimely death on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. I miss my friend.

Like many others here, I had gotten to know Rick in the context of threads but we became "friends" via PM's. He had a dry wit, sharp mind and wealth of knowledge on a wide range of topics. During my 20+ years as an active PCGS forum member and collector I have met a number of members at shows and even a few in public, social settings. I have to say that meeting @ricko was perhaps the highlight of all that. It's funny, we met in person only that one time for less than 2 hours, but it was so easy to be in his company. He was engaging, his smile and laughter came easily and he welcomed my Girlfriend as though he'd known her his entire life.

It's interesting to me that as we age the things we carry to the end get whittled down to what's really been important in our lives. I think such will be the case with Rick. Somewhere along the line he got into my heart. I feel that I'm a better person for having known him and richer for having shared a meal together. I hope I can honor his memory.

Maywood.

JBK

You both needed a haircut.

I had the impression that ricko had interests and a presence that extended far beyond coins and this forum. We were lucky to have our little slice of him.

oih82w8

Ricko was a pillar to the forum and is truly missed.

bsshog40

I never communicated with him, but enjoyed his posts over the years.

divecchia

I communicated with @ricko only a few times through PM's, but he was definitely a scholar and a gentlemen. He saw and appreciated everything that was good in people. Very few better men have lived.

We are all better for having known him.

Donato

LukeMarshall

Thanks for sharing, and Rest in Peace to the true King of the Forums @ricko

I had hoped he would reach the 100,000 post mark but that was cut a bit short...

A true gentleman, I am pleased I was able to talk with him over the years digitally and for this piece he sold me that is now in my forever collection.

Cheers

ldhair

I miss the guy. He brought a lot of fun to the forum.

DRUNNER

Never had the chance to meet him but loved his acerbic wit, superb knowledge, humanistic attitude, and of course, his affinity for the 1911.

Drunner

joeykoins

Great Heartfelt post!
Yes, RickO.
a true friend in the sense of the word!
Even though, we never spoke physically to each other. In his PM's and posts, it almost made it seemed we did.
Such a flair for the hobby and conversations.
Yes, Maywood, the man surely is missed. I just love his involvement or funny criticism of the "tarnished coin"
😆
He was just a fine gentleman and a scholar!
He gave me a beautiful 2000 Cheerios Cent in its original packaging!
Along with a letter and his sentiments.
When I find it I'll post it.
We learned alot from RickO.
Hopefully, his precious family did the same?
Thanks my friend for posting and being a friend to our RickO!
Great pictures too!
🙂❤

airplanenut

I hope you told him his shirt was tarnished

johnny9434

all good memories with with him. he is missed

Namvet69

I too,, miss RickO. He was among the first to greet me on CU. I came to appreciate his insightful and encouraging ways. I found out he collected challenge coins and I was glad to present him with 2 interesting pieces from my previous life work. We honor him by the quality of our participation here. Peace Roy

may

Thanks for everything, RickO.

JWP

I really appreciated all the help he gave me. He was a great source of knowledge which he shared so willingly. Thanks, Ricko.

mattniss

Thanks for sharing @Maywood -- certainly hope RickO is enjoying cherrypicking all the blast white coins in the great bourse in the sky.

Dave99B

I was lucky enough to meet Rick once at the Boeing Show, near Seattle. Great guy, and a huge contributor to this forum. I loved how he stood his ground on ‘blast white’ coins. He loved what he loved. The forum just isn’t the same without him.

RIP RickO

Dave

MFeld

As great as coin collecting can be, the relationships that we make as a result of it, can be even better.

Mark

@Maywood that was truly a generous post. You captured the essence of what @MFeld posted, the relationships that can be made.

TomB

Terrific post, @Maywood. To rIcko, the true GOAT.

golden

We miss Ricko on these boards.

SanctionII

Great post Maywood.

Ricko was a forum legend. His spirit lives on, Blast White of course, unsullied by any tarnish

Swampboy

Lovely post
Old @ricko RIP

BLUEJAYWAY

As he said without exception:"Cheers".

Walkerfan

I only pm’d him once or twice. But he always gave me his feedback and commented on everything that I posted. I liked that and he was very good natured and friendly. The place is just not the same without the guy….