Joseph Ricard

i was blessed to call J.B. my "friend" these past 58 years. Though our lives took us to different places our bond could never be broken. I pulled out some old photos the other night -- wow! What is so amazing is that I can hear his voice as though he was with me in the moment and as it sounded 58 years ago when we first met in San Francisco. I was 17, in high school and worked for J.B. part time on Market Street selling men's clothing. What an experience.

When I returned to San Francisco to practice law J.B. was just about to open Jack Richards Men's Shop on Kearney Street in the financial district. I remember being recruited one weekend to help J.B. and his Dad hang dry wall -- we worked hard, played hard and laughed hard.

Laughter was always a part of our conversations. We joked about everything and everybody, including ourselves and of the times of our youth in San Francisco. But we could also get very serious about life and living and what was truly important. Of course, most of those conversations included catching up on his beloved children, Kim, Esa and Chris. He was so proud of each of you. And what a tribute you all are to his legacy.

A Hui Hou dear friend,

Ed & Sally Schulman
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii