1962 La Jolla High School yearbook, senior class. Rest in peace, fellow Viking.

Below is a message  sent by River Grace remembering Rick.  River was visiting from Canada at my "big house" in Encinitas in the late 1990's and one day Rick came by to see her.  Rick grew  up in La Jolla and wanted to show River spots he considered special.

"When I was staying at your big house he took me for a drive in his (blue 1969) Corvette to see all the sights of La Jolla.  He had kind of retired his Corvette but felt that he needed to do this for me because nobody else was.  He was quite upset about that. 

He did understand my feelings and emotions and how to respect them.  He honoured me by driving me in his Corvette to a place we both loved.

He did  what he thought must be done. He was very clear on this.
He did take a photo of me and his Corvette when we arrived back home to his place.

He drove very carefully and purposefully to every spot he knew I would remember. He did not hurry but deliberately chose every place where he knew I would remember with great feelings.

I believe he shared those feelings about La Jolla; how else could he have understood my feelings?  He thought that you and S had been neglectful and he was making it right.  He did what he thought must be done.

Never in my lifetime have I ever felt so considered and understood by anyone.  He knew much more than he could ever express.

Thank you God for Rick, one of your unrecognized and unloved people who will never be forgotten."

In January of this year, I received a muted voicemail from Rick to call him.   He called himself Ricky like when we were kids.  We talked.   He said he had had sort of an epiphany. He was sorry-- he had had too many expectations of his friends, expectations to live up to his vision of friendship.   
 Rick was strong with personal honor. 
 Epiphanies are important in life. 

Funeral Service

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

Richard Eilers

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Richard "Rick" Burton Eilers

27 December, 1943 – 2 May, 2025

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services