My name is Perry Chandler, and I served with Rick in the Navy on the USS Boxer from September 1963 to September 1964. Rick and I were enlisted sailors and were yeoman in the Engineering Log Room. Our primary responsibilities were to take care of all of the paperwork involving the Engineering Department on the ship. Rick and I were best friends and inseparable, and did practically everything together. We had many memorable occasions on the ship and out on the town in many ports of call, but one in particular stands out in my mind and makes me laugh every time I think about it. He and I were assigned to paint a very confined space on the ship. It was a very small room maybe 10' x 12' called the boiler room, and basically was an enclosure to hide several gigantic vent pipes that circulated air throughout the ship. We were squeezed in there painting around, under and behind these vents, and after about an hour we took a break and went back to the Engineering Log Room for a few minutes. As it turned out we were both hilariously drunk and giddy from the paint fumes in that confined space, and couldn't stop laughing. Before long we had all of the senior officers roaring in laughter with us, which made us feel even better because it kind of relaxed the traditional barriers between officers and enlisted men. Little Rick was a charmer with his good looks, sparkling black eyes and infectious laughter, and made that year we spent together in the Navy even more enjoyable. RIP my friend, and thank you for being a memorable chapter in my life.
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