Richard Alan May, age 31, class of 1980, died on November 29, 1989. Richard was born on July 19, 1959, with a degenerative form of muscular dystrophy known as Fredreich's ataxia, an inherited form of progressive dysfunction of the cerebellum, spinal cord, and nerves. This resulted in the slow deterioration of his senses, which led to a slow death. You may recognize him from the yearbook and remember him from school. He was a member of the Chess Club and was often seen hanging out with the special-ed kids. He was the handsome dude with dark Irish features and the bad ass wheelchair. While in school, if you ever thought that the wheel chair bound kid who just breezed by you in the hall had somehow goosed you, that was him. Richard addressed every day of his challenged life with defiant vitality, a hearty guffaw, and an endearing smile in the midst of his daily setbacks. He was and always will be my favorite brother, and his inspiration continues to carry me through life's challenges. May the Lord see to it that what is sown in weakness is raised in power, in the Lord's name we pray, amen! (I would be a bit remiss if I did not mention here, for those who knew the May family, that my sister Lisa Catherine, class of 1979, passed away on March 17, 1998, age 37. Lisa was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995. She is survived by one son, Adam Doyle May.) Ken May
