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Edited with memorial service information at bottom:
This is Gayle writing for our entire family.
Rich fought long and hard until the end, but died at peace with his sons and I at this side on Sunday night.
We thank all of you who followed Rich’s story both on the kart sites and CaringBridge.
We heard time and again that Rich was a beloved figure at the karting tracks and we knew karting was his passion during the final decade of his life.
I will post again when funeral plans are finalized. God bless you for caring for # 51 and for the donations which made the financial burden easier these past 10 months.
Gayle, Brett and Colin Vito
Updated:
Memorial service 3:00 PM Thursday March 11, 2010 at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church at 640 Alpine St. Longmont. Private Inurnment at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery, cremation Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Contributions can be made to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church c/o Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.It was a good fight!
And Gayle you gave him so much caring and support.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
RIP Rich
The Schmidts
Gayle,
I was very sad to hear of Rich’s passing. I will miss him. He was fun to be with and he liked to keep things stirred up here on the forum.
Several of my friends from out of state met Rich, either by visiting me in Colorado or by racing with him at the Grand Nationals, and they have asked me to pass along their condolences.
Our thoughts our with you and your family.
Charles
Gayle and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rich was a great man, with a great family to support him. He will be missed, he touched many people with his passion for karting, and for life. May he rest in peace. Thank you so much for keeping us informed and letting us follow his/your journey for the past 10 months.God Bless.
Angie MacEwen and familyGayle and Family:
He was a great racer, allways looking for that last .1 of a second to get faster.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.The whole INTERNATIONAL BROKERS TEAM.
RIP RICH.
What can I say other than to echo everybody elses thoughts. Rich was a good man who definately kept everybody here on their toes. Unfortunately I was not able to meet him in person until that horrible day. Our thoughts are with you and your family Gayle.
RIP Rich.
that is quite sad, My respect and condolgence is for the family of him!
Someone should do a memorial at the track, such as a victory flag for rich that forever swings in the air to remember that guy
Rest in Peace Rich. It was memorable pitting with you over the years! Thoughts and prayers to the Vito family.
The Schermerhorns.
Rich, after taking your final lap around the sun, and reaching the checkered flag in this race we call life……….
You have touched so many People near and far. And for this we are all blessed………..
God Speed #51
We know you will enjoy your next event 🙂
Your at a better venue now ……Gayle & Family My respect and condolgences go out to You and your’s
The Rudolph’s
Hello Gayle and Family:
Sandy and I both are truly saddened by the news of Rich’s passing. In retrospect, I think we all knew this could happen but that never eases the shock of such a great tragedy.
You have been such an inspiration for so many people, likely numbering in the thousands. Your tremendous love, dignity, character, and endless grace has been a spiritual treasure for so many of us on the fringes of your story. I think I speak for many in saying nobody could have possibly done more than you did for Rich, and we hope you live forever in peace and solace from your efforts.
Godspeed Mr. Rich and Mrs. Gayle Vito, and to your family, friends, fellow racers, and countless others who will never forget your courage. Blessings to you all.
PS – I think Nathan’s idea above is fantastic — I’d be proud to donate art to bring his wonderful thought to life.
I had the pleasure of racing with Rich on many occasions. He told me once that since i was always borrowing chain lube and other assorted parts he thought I might be a tax deduction. I think that each track should have a memorial to him and that we retire the number 51 in Colorado. We will forever miss you Rich and thank you for the time you shared with all of us.
Very Saddening-Rich was one of the first people I met at my first race ever, and one of the first I ever actually raced against a good number of years ago. I remember him from many different races and tracks over the years. I always admired his passion, and dedication to karting; as well as his love of the camaraderie which is unique to karting.
R.I.P Rich-Your spirit lives on, and will race-on indefinitely.
MarcRest In Peace Amigo, now you truly get to race with the greats!
Rich always raced hard; gave you an inch but never more than that. At the end of the race he’d take off his helmet, gloves and brace then have the biggest grin on his face while reliving the action on the track with you! That, you cannot put a price on! If you ever wanted a role model both on and off the track as a competitor then he was the one. I am going to miss track talk when we weren’t practicing or racing. And like Craig Mansfield said, he had a great inventory of parts he’d lend you so you knew you weren’t going to have a DID NOT START if Rich had the part!
I cannot imagine what it’s like losing a lifetime partner. Gayle you have my utmost respect and admiration for being there for him, you took your wedding vows seriously, especially the “in sickness and in health.” You lived it. My heart goes out to you and this new chapter in your life. Same for your boys.
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