Letter Announcing Dick’s Death

Memorial for Richard C. Cornelison (1926-2004)

Dear family and friends,

Some of you have already received the sad news that Dick died in the early morning of March 25 at 5:30 am from a heart attack. For others, this is the first time we have been able to reach you. Dick awoke from his sleep not feeling well with chest pain, sweating and requested that Kathleen take him to the hospital. Dick was unaware he was having a heart attack but rather thought he was suffering from a stroke. By the time Kathleen got to the hospital Dick had taken his last breath. Despite life saving procedures the medical providers were unable to revive him.

Dick’s sudden untimely death is an unbelievable shock to us all and it will be hard to go on without him. We have received an outpouring of beautiful messages from so many people whose lives were enriched from knowing Dick. He was an extraordinary human being. He touched the lives of so many through his deep caring, generosity, encouragement and zest for life. Dick believed in each of us and helped us be better people. He was a precious gift that will never be forgotten.

You will be glad to know that Dick was thoroughly enjoying his life in the small town of Smithers, B.C. He especially liked the quieter pace of life and the courtesy of the people. He took pleasure developing his artistic talents in a portrait drawing course and he loved walking in the spectacular mountain scenery.

Dick’s family has created a website at www.cornelisons.com where you can see photos of Dick and read about his life and achievements. We invite all of you to send in remembrances and favorite images of Dick that you would like to share with others. You can email them directly to John at john@fetchfun.com, mail them to John Cornelison, 10506 S.W. 132 Place, Vashon WA 98070. At some point it should become possible to submit them directly to the web site.

You are warmly invited to attend a memorial service and burial of the ashes which will take place on May 8 at 9 am at the Hiram College Hayden Auditorium. See www.cornelisons.com for maps, transportation & lodging options and for subsequent updates.

Instead of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in memory of Dick, please send your memorial donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council with a note that it is in memory of Richard C. Cornelison. Dick’s passion to reduce air pollution and improve air quality drove much of his later professional life. NRDC actively works to improve air quality through their support of a responsible energy policy and alternative energy. Donations can be made online at https://www.nrdc.org/joinGive/join/honor.asp or via mail to:

Richard C. Cornelison Memorials Natural Resources Defense Council Membership Department 40 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011

You may also wish to make a donation to Deep Springs in Dick’s name. Donations can be mailed to:

Richard C. Cornelison Memorial Endowment Deep Springs College HC72, Box 45001 Dyer, NV 89010-9803

We have been working hard over the past few days to create a unified list of all Dick’s many, many friends and colleagues all over the U.S. and in other countries. Dick had a beautiful gift for friendship. All those who were lucky enough to know him, whether for a short while or for a lifetime, speak of the deep impression he made on their lives and what wonderful experiences they had with him.

If you think of other people to notify who we may not have been able to reach, please forward this letter to them. Or email John at john@fetchfun.com so we may contact them. Thank you.

At this time of deep grief we can be grateful that Dick was part of our lives and that we were blessed by knowing him.

Love,

Dick’s family