Post by Kari on Jun 21, 2007 11:49:02 GMT -5
I'm reposting the Rife's Story.
With permission from Craig’s brother Kenny I’d like to share the Rife’s story with you from my experience.
I've know the Rife family since I was about 10 years old. My relationship with them is basically through my brother Mike. The family had 3 sons Kenny, Glenn and Craig.
Kenny, Glenn and Mike grew up together from grade school through high school. Glenn was my brother Mike’s best friend. If the three of us were on a sinking ship and there was only one life preserver, Mike would have said, “Debbie, you were on the swim team, JUMP.” and passed the life preserver to Glenn.
Kenny and Glenn did everything together. If you saw Kenny, you found Glenn, when you found Glenn, Mike was never far behind. Their mom Michelle always had a house full of boys. They grew up with the typical trials and tribulations, pranks and heartbreaks. Maybe there were a bit more of the tribulations and pranks; but there was always fun, everything from camping trips to toga parties. Glenn and Kenny married with Mike standing up at both weddings. Eventually all three even went into the same profession.
On a rainy day in September of 1996 a semi truck driver inadvertently pulled out of a truck dock without looking. Unable to stop on the slick pavement Glenn’s work van slid underneath the truck killing him instantly. Kenny was the one who had to tell his mom that Glenn was gone. Glenn was only 26 years old. He left behind a wife and 3 children under 2 years old, 2 year old twins and a 9-week-old baby girl.
When Glenn died not only did his family lose a husband and a father, Kenny lost his brother and best friend, Craig lost his brother, a mother and father lost a son and Mike lost his best friend; countless lost a friend …
and there was a gaping hole left in this world.
That house full of boys also had Craig, Marty, Bobby and Dino running around it. They went to grade school, played little league baseball and made it through high school together. Marty and Craig even doubled dated for Prom.
Craig and Bobby were roommates at the University of Illinois where Craig got his nickname “Kevorkian”. Whenever the Lovehammers needed a place to stay, Craig’s place was, and still is, their home away from home.
Craig approached everything he did with gusto, he worked hard and he played hard. He didn’t just graduate from college, he graduated with double degrees and then went on to earn his masters degree. At the time of his death Craig was volunteering through De Paul University to help educate the homeless. He helped the homeless set up resumes and develop skills to interview for jobs. Education was pivotal in Craig’s life, his mantra was read, learn, educate.
Craig was an avid outdoorsman, he loved music and he was the ultimate joker! Craig filled his life with what he loved. He spent time with his friends and his family and always devoted time to his nieces and nephews.
This February Craig and Kenny were snowmobiling when Craig’s snowmobile hit something and Craig flew off the snowmobile. He hit a tree about 4 inches in diameter and his neck was broken. Kenny was again faced with the horrifying task of telling his mother that his brother had died.
I will never, never forget Michelle's face as she walked behind Craig’s coffin leaving church the morning of his funeral. No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child. To experience this tragedy once is terrible, but twice … there are no words to justify it. Kenny has a wonderful supportive wife, two beautiful sons and good friends. Thankfully his family and friends are there for him.
I can’t stop thinking about Kenny and Michelle, and all of the Rife family. I wonder how are they going to get through this again. Even now l think about what would it be like if Glenn were still here. I struggle to understand why this family, why such good people, why so much pain? Just one small moment in time, what if… if only… why…?
To help Craig’s family a trust account has been set up for his estate and donations can be sent to:
Craig A Rife Trust
C/o Ken Rife
8065 Yorkshire Lane
Monee, IL 60449
Or sent to Paypal account: Paypal.com CraigARifeTrust@sbcglobal.net
Thank you, Kari (Debbie)
With permission from Craig’s brother Kenny I’d like to share the Rife’s story with you from my experience.
I've know the Rife family since I was about 10 years old. My relationship with them is basically through my brother Mike. The family had 3 sons Kenny, Glenn and Craig.
Kenny, Glenn and Mike grew up together from grade school through high school. Glenn was my brother Mike’s best friend. If the three of us were on a sinking ship and there was only one life preserver, Mike would have said, “Debbie, you were on the swim team, JUMP.” and passed the life preserver to Glenn.
Kenny and Glenn did everything together. If you saw Kenny, you found Glenn, when you found Glenn, Mike was never far behind. Their mom Michelle always had a house full of boys. They grew up with the typical trials and tribulations, pranks and heartbreaks. Maybe there were a bit more of the tribulations and pranks; but there was always fun, everything from camping trips to toga parties. Glenn and Kenny married with Mike standing up at both weddings. Eventually all three even went into the same profession.
On a rainy day in September of 1996 a semi truck driver inadvertently pulled out of a truck dock without looking. Unable to stop on the slick pavement Glenn’s work van slid underneath the truck killing him instantly. Kenny was the one who had to tell his mom that Glenn was gone. Glenn was only 26 years old. He left behind a wife and 3 children under 2 years old, 2 year old twins and a 9-week-old baby girl.
When Glenn died not only did his family lose a husband and a father, Kenny lost his brother and best friend, Craig lost his brother, a mother and father lost a son and Mike lost his best friend; countless lost a friend …
and there was a gaping hole left in this world.
That house full of boys also had Craig, Marty, Bobby and Dino running around it. They went to grade school, played little league baseball and made it through high school together. Marty and Craig even doubled dated for Prom.
Craig and Bobby were roommates at the University of Illinois where Craig got his nickname “Kevorkian”. Whenever the Lovehammers needed a place to stay, Craig’s place was, and still is, their home away from home.
Craig approached everything he did with gusto, he worked hard and he played hard. He didn’t just graduate from college, he graduated with double degrees and then went on to earn his masters degree. At the time of his death Craig was volunteering through De Paul University to help educate the homeless. He helped the homeless set up resumes and develop skills to interview for jobs. Education was pivotal in Craig’s life, his mantra was read, learn, educate.
Craig was an avid outdoorsman, he loved music and he was the ultimate joker! Craig filled his life with what he loved. He spent time with his friends and his family and always devoted time to his nieces and nephews.
This February Craig and Kenny were snowmobiling when Craig’s snowmobile hit something and Craig flew off the snowmobile. He hit a tree about 4 inches in diameter and his neck was broken. Kenny was again faced with the horrifying task of telling his mother that his brother had died.
I will never, never forget Michelle's face as she walked behind Craig’s coffin leaving church the morning of his funeral. No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child. To experience this tragedy once is terrible, but twice … there are no words to justify it. Kenny has a wonderful supportive wife, two beautiful sons and good friends. Thankfully his family and friends are there for him.
I can’t stop thinking about Kenny and Michelle, and all of the Rife family. I wonder how are they going to get through this again. Even now l think about what would it be like if Glenn were still here. I struggle to understand why this family, why such good people, why so much pain? Just one small moment in time, what if… if only… why…?
To help Craig’s family a trust account has been set up for his estate and donations can be sent to:
Craig A Rife Trust
C/o Ken Rife
8065 Yorkshire Lane
Monee, IL 60449
Or sent to Paypal account: Paypal.com CraigARifeTrust@sbcglobal.net
Thank you, Kari (Debbie)
