R.I.P. to Rip

Richard "Rip" Coleman (or "Rick")

If ever there was a proper word for him, it was "solid." The man had a presence. He was a football and baseball star. He was always relaxed under pressure. He was a good student who went to West Point after high school, but he didn't take himself too seriously, and he was always fun to hang with.

I know little to nothing of his life. He came to our 25th anniversary, but I lost track of him after that.

In our "Ten Years Later, or the Results of the Lewis and Clark Expedition" program handed out at the 10-year reunion, the following is provided on Rick: Richard Coleman, 19th Service Co. 3rd S.U.P.C.O.I.N, (whatever that means?) APO New York 09757

"Rick knows how to get ahead in the Military. He married an Air Force Colonel's daughter, Barbara Bradford Taylor from Virginia. Capt. Coleman is currently stationed in Germany. Rick and "Brad" have a daughter, Carolyn."

In the "Twenty Years Later" program, all that is given is his address: Allenwood NJ

Written by classmate Joe Struble:

I think one might describe him as the "strong silent type." He was in my homeroom, 104, I think, headed by Mike Spang and the thing I remember about him - my first impressions - was that he seemed a little more "settled in" in those first few days, teachers seemed to know him. I'm guessing the football players got a jump on Kearney life by having to show up - maybe try out for the team before the rest of us showed up. I was also confused that he was called "Rip" and not "Rick" and wondered if I heard right. I see in the yearbook that he was down for Football, Basketball, and Baseball at least 2, sometimes 3 of his 4 BK years, but I think baseball was his best sport. I remember him too leading my gym class in calisthenics on the parking lot blacktop several times, 'deputized' by the coach because he could get the job done. Don't think I ever spoke to him but my impression was that he was a nice guy, self-assured and motivated, His sister Kathy Coleman was one year behind us. Long blond hair. BTW: Walter Gary "Rip" Coleman (July 31, 1931 – May 14, 2004) was an American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher who played from 1955 to 1957 and 1959 to 1960 for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics and Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball.

Rip would have been a star left-handed pitcher in Little League in 1959 amd 1960, which probably explains his nickname.

His West Point obituary says he died on October 22, 2024 in the Tampa area.

His publicly available info says

Richard Ward Coleman
Born May 12, 1948
Married to Lisa F Coleman
(813) 929-4171 - LandLine Phone
(732) 859-3598 - Cell
30617 Tremont Dr, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543-7848