Dick Loeppky

Dick passed away a couple of weeks ago.  He was a good, kind man.  Because of him, I was diagnosed with Addison's and given my life back.  Dick was even more fun in person than he was online.  Dick had 30+ years of experience with Addison's, knew the science of it and generously explained it to the rest of us.  From 2004...

Richard Loeppky, 1937-2012

Sunday, April 29, 2012

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Richard Norman Loeppky passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2012. He was cherished by his family and friends and appreciated by his colleagues and students.

Loeppky

Richard was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on Aug. 2, 1937, to Norman and Helen Loeppky. He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Idaho and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan. After finishing his post-graduate work at the University of Illinois, he spent his entire academic career as a researcher and organic chemistry instructor at the University of Missouri.

A very generous man, he dedicated most of his life to cancer research. His work led to several discoveries that identified cancer-causing chemicals in retail products.

For his excellence in cancer research he received international recognition, the Founders Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the American Chemical Society and was inducted into the University of Idaho's Alumni Hall of Fame and College of Science Academy of Distinguished Alumni. Recently, he worked with the European Union on the construction and revision of regulations related to cancer-causing chemicals.

He also had a passion for teaching the next generation of scientists and received the Purple Chalk Teaching Award, which acknowledges teaching excellence of select faculty members, from the College of Arts and Science Student Council. This was the award of which he was most proud.

He loved to travel the world, meet new people and take photographs of his surroundings. He had a very inquiring mind and was a gifted individual in so many ways.

Richard is survived by his daughter, Ann Loeppky-Finn (Robert); son, Greg Loeppky (Nicole); granddaughters, Keira Finn and Emma Loeppky; sister, Marilyn French (Carter); niece, Katie (Joel) Yates; and nephew, Ryan French.

He was truly loved and will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Central Lutheran Church in Everett, Wash. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

This article was published on page A11 of the Sunday, April 29, 2012 edition of The Columbia Daily Tribune.Click here to Subscribe.

Travels, Grandma and things I see while running

In my last post, I neglected to mention the wonderful trip I had before and after Barkley.  Also, my mother in law came to visit after my return home.  I've spent more time with family in a three week period than i have in two decades!  What a nice change.

A gift from Heather who gave me many gifts and was (as always) an incredibly host!  She made me chili, lemon bars and gave me a tiara that says "Queen" in rhinestones.

Next I visited Brad and Corina in Asheville, NC.  I used to babysit Brad when he was a baby.  Now he's a grown up and lots of fun!  He beat me soundly in an uphill sprint.  I met G from my forum for coffee.  I love meeting Addisonssupport.com forum members!

Next, I went to see my 100 year old grandma in Roanoke.  Every picture that I took with my phone looked like this.  She insisted on trying to see the picture on the screen with her bifocals!  She is a sweet lady.

My uncle let me stay in his home in Eagle Rock, VA (this is not it).  It's where my family does family reunions every year.  When we were in Idaho, it was not possible for us to go.  Maybe this year.  Above is the house in Staunton, Virginia where my grandmother was born, my great grandfather died and my grandmother was raised.  It's cool to see my family's past!

An unexpected gem in Staunton, Virginia.  The Darjeeling Cafe.  Many vegan items on the menu, incredible tea selection and FRIED OREOS!

I visited Ashley on the Virginia coast, my aunt and uncle at their new home in Myrtle Beach.  Spending time with Ashley was priceless and spending Easter with relatives was great!

Ashley gave me handstand lessons!  I had to show off for my aunt who took a great picture!

Lastly, I visited my friend Meara in South Carolina.  Oh, I miss her.  It was great to see her again!

Paul's mom arrived right after I returned.  We had a fun, busy time with her.  Went to the beach, visited family in Orlando and did a little hiking.  I'm tired!!

Weird on the way to Orlando, FL to visit family

Paul and his mom, Venice, FL

Miscellaneous pictures...

Syringes on the ground during my run.  Nice!

A frog relocated during a drive from Deep Creek to Punta Gorda bridge

On the side walk by the road.  A little different than the moose that I used to see but nearly as surprising 

If you want statues in your yard, that's fine.  Don't make them weird and creepy  like this.  I wanted to break into this person's lanai and reposition the statues.  They were having a meeting by the pool.  Strange.  I'm disturbed.

Barkley again

geoffreybakerphotography.com

The before and after pictures above were taken by Geoffrey Baker as an independent art project.  If you want to see more participant's pictures in the "Portraits From the Edge of Endurance", click here.  His spectacular race photo gallery called "Bad Things Happen" is here.  I am wearing a pink and orange runnergirl.com skirt (and Drymax socks!!) in the pictures.

Annika Iltis and Tim Kane are making a documentary about the Barkley.  Here is a 3 minute clip. I appear really briefly.  Look for pink.

This race was something else.  All at once I felt like a complete failure and a huge success.  I felt alone, like I knew no one but that changed to feeling like I knew people very well in a short time.  I'm so glad to be a part of such a kind, funny, fun quirky community.  I have returned home feeling like I belong to an accepting, enthusiastic family.  Thanks to you all for letting me belong.

Barkley made me see my strengths in running, that is that I'm a good hiker!  I like adventure.  I'm not afraid of getting lost or running into wild animals.  Adventure makes me smile.

I now have a renewed enthusiasm for training.  Coming to Florida has been great for getting exercise outside during the winter months but the flat is...hard for me.  I am working through it and I'm ready to move on to my next goal.

On July 12, 2012 I will travel the ferry across the Mississippi River at Dorena Landing and run/walk/crawl 500 kilometers to Castle Rock, GA all on pavement, except the last half mile.  The race is called The Last Annual Vol State Road Race.  Thanks to Bogie, I now have a training plan.  Thanks to Ashley for intensive handstand training.  Thanks to Meara for enthusiastically teaching me Turkish Get Ups at 6:30 am!  Thanks to Keith, who will never read this, for getting me up and out at 5:30 am, pissing me off and motivating me through pure adrenaline from trying not to hit his lazy ass.  Thanks to Paul for accepting my stupid ideas and making them possible.