| In Loving Memory of Rich |
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| Rich on top of the world |
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| Rich sleeping with Droc |
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| Rich and Carla's last photo~5 months pregnant |
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| Rich with Droc |
| Carlazenden@msn.com |
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| I am here to honor the life and Memory of my late husband, D.I.SGT. Rich Stumpf, who lived on this earth from 11-25-69 to 10-31-94.He lies at rest at Bourne National Cemetery, in Bourne, Mass. He died by suicide by a Public, self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 24 years old and about to become a father for the first time. Rich was the 5'th and youngest child of Mary and Richard Stumpf, Sr. He was born in Meriden,CT. He was survived by his parents, his wife, unborn son, brother, 3 sisters and many family and friends. Rich and I met when we were 15 in Sarasota, Fl.. We were married after he got out of bootcamp. We then moved to Camp Lejeune,NC.. Rich had always been the class clown, the ultimate prankster and jokster. He was a total charmer-a real "Peacock". He liked to live on the edge and always had to make his mark, so that people would remember him. After he served in the Gulf War for 9 mon., his dream was to go back to where it all begins; to become a Marine Corps Drill Instructor and "Make" Marines in boot camp. >Continued on bottom right |
| Rich was a Drill Instructor SGT. in the U.S.Marine Corps and stationed at Parris Island, S.C. at the time of his suicide. We were expecting our first baby within the next couple of days. Rich loved the Marines more than anything. But behind all of this, he was fighting his own war; a battle within himself. He had been struggling with alcoholism, mood disorders, and an overall very addictive lifestyle. In the end, he saw no hope for himself. He didn't understand why he kept doing so many things that were sabatoging his own happiness. He saw no way to "fix all the damage" that he had done. |
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| On Monday, Oct. 31, 1994 (after a weekend of getting a DUI and totaling one of our cars), Rich checked out his M-16 service rifle from the armory and showed up to work right on time. He walked into the indoor training pool, in uniform and ended his own life in front of his fellow co-workers, Marines, and recruits. He left no note. Knowing him, I can only think that he did not want to be alone in his darkest hour and he wanted to die in the presense of his "brothers" in their arms, like a Warrior in battle.... "Rich" the husband, father, son, brother, Marine, Uncle and friend to all, will be forever loved; forever remembered with honor; forever young and forever missed.... Oct. 2002 written by Carla (wife of Rich) >Continued on next page< |
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| Support for Survivors Click on the links below |
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