Richard M. Hobbs

Richard M. “Rick” Hobbs was born March 24, 1956. From the very beginning of his life, Rick was an exceptional child and would grow up to be a charming and unique individual. Rick had Downs Syndrome. Growing up was difficult for Rick, but he enjoyed time spent with his loving family. To his, mother, Edna, Rick was her joy and they enjoyed a very special bond but to his sisters Marlene, JoAnn and Susan, Rick was just Rick. He could be a real handful, headstrong, stubborn and independent. On one amazing adventure, he walked away from the house in a blinding rainstorm to take a piece of cake to a friend not even knowing where she lived. And, he loved Elvis Presley. As a child, he would sing Elvis songs and “play” a guitar. He might have been one of the cutest Elvis impersonators in Jacksonville. Rick was fascinated by a number of things, and the things would change over time. What kept him busy one year was often replaced by something else the next year. It seemed as if he would go through stages and his interests would change. For a number of years, Rick loved calendars, particularly ones with American flags on them. He would stay busy for hours staring at the pictures and the numbers. He also liked to cut them apart and rearrange the numbers. Every year had a color and the colors would change with the years, but they were usually red, his absolute favorite, or blue, his other favorite. Rick would always tell you what the next year’s color was because he always wanted a cap for Christmas in the next year’s color! He really loved to see the year embroidered on the front. No one ever loved Cokes, hamburgers and ice cream more than Rick. He would repeatedly ask, “Got a Coke?” “No, Rick. Not now.” “Got a Coke?” Some things about Rick, however, never changed. Rick was fiercely patriotic. He loved the American flag and he loved to sing America the Beautiful, which just might have been his favorite song. And, we think he loved the 4th of July almost as much if not more than Christmas. Sparklers, flags, fireworks and music. What a treat! A couple of years ago, his sister, Susan, took Rick down to the St. Johns River to watch the 4th of July fireworks. A large crowd had gathered as the always do. After the first few star shells had lit up the sky, Rick was so moved that he burst into song, “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies…” Rick loved to sing. Just this past Christmas, he got a Karaoke Machine and microphone. Whether it was Jingle Bells or Silent Night at Christmas, an Elvis song, or America the Beautiful, Rick might have had trouble saying the words, but the rhythm and melody were close enough that it was easy to tell where he was in the song. Rick also loved the Lord, he attended church at every opportunity and loved to say grace before meals. With head bowed, he would solemnly intone a prayer of thanks. Even if you couldn’t understand a word of it, you could always tell exactly what he was saying. And, Rick had a smile that would light up a room and he used it with generosity to the delight of those around him. As the years passed, Rick began to experience some health problems which were probably related to his disabilities. His strength diminished, his hearing declined and his vision dimmed but almost to the end, his glowing, child-like spirit remained intact. From his sister, Susan, “Heaven has gained the sweetest of angels. My sweet brother Rick died peacefully in his sleep this morning. Though my heart is broken, I know he is happy once again wrapped in his Mother’s arms. Rick is survived by his sisters Marlene Eberhardt (Johnny), Susan Tyler (Tim), Nieces Sonia Ricca (Les), Jessica, Nephews Joseph Vona, Richard Barron (Kari), Brandon Eberhardt and Allen Woodard, many cousins, friends and the special caregivers of Stanbridge all of whom Rick loved.