Jan, My heart is truly saddened to hear the news of the passing of Dick. I would echo Jean Houston’s words about the great man that was Dick Sims. Thank goodness for little nudges in our lives! Please know that I am holding you in my heart. Martha Martha Laird marthalaird@icloud.com 404-371-0323 (h) 404-316-3562 (c)

On Apr 29, 2021, at 10:19 PM, Janet Sanders via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

<image.png> Dear Colleague,

This note is to share with you the passing of Richard ‘Dick’ Sims on Tuesday, April 27th. Four days earlier after a feast, he stopped eating and taking fluids. As an ‘essential care giver’ I have been able to visit him every day. On Tuesday, his breathing was more labored, and I had spent the morning with him, sharing songs, poetry and the silence. At about one, I began my weekly call with David Dunn. We have been working on an article called Rituals in the Field: Nepal. During the call, Richard stopped breathing. So gently, so peacefully. David stood in the place of ‘all the saints’ surrounding us. You were all there with us as we sang ‘Journey on, Journey on’.

I have attached the article which features a ritual Richard led in our 2007 Nepal training program. It weaves together the two great movements in our lives: The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Possible Human/Possible Society work of Dr. Jean Houston. As Jean said, upon hearing of his passing that Richard was an original, a wise thoughtful soul whose laughter and humor came from a deep source of the absurd. I deeply appreciated his partnership over the last 24 years. (Thank you Lyn Mathews Edwards, Mary Laura and Pam for your nudges). He had decided to support women leaders and was an incredible support to myself. He once told me, ‘His mission was to make me laugh every day! I am able to smile. Blessings Be

I will share more information as it unfolds. Richard stories will be appreciated. I am swing back and forth from gratitude and grief.

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Dear Janet, Fondly remembering my friend with his dry wit from Sparta, Tennessee. I loved the attached Nepal story - Richard invited one of them to stand and become that poet. There was a very long, worrisome pause. I was thinking “Whoa, Richard, what have you done?” With warmth and light for all Dick’s colleagues and friends in Toronto and around the world, Ken May 12, 1972 - Memorial Day - Madison House Don Hinkelman, Dick Sims, Marilyn & Kim Thornton, Betty Compton, Paige Cousineau and Ken Fisher

On Apr 29, 2021, at 10:19 PM, Janet Sanders via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

<image.png> Dear Colleague,

This note is to share with you the passing of Richard ‘Dick’ Sims on Tuesday, April 27th. Four days earlier after a feast, he stopped eating and taking fluids. As an ‘essential care giver’ I have been able to visit him every day. On Tuesday, his breathing was more labored, and I had spent the morning with him, sharing songs, poetry and the silence. At about one, I began my weekly call with David Dunn. We have been working on an article called Rituals in the Field: Nepal. During the call, Richard stopped breathing. So gently, so peacefully. David stood in the place of ‘all the saints’ surrounding us. You were all there with us as we sang ‘Journey on, Journey on’.

I have attached the article which features a ritual Richard led in our 2007 Nepal training program. It weaves together the two great movements in our lives: The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Possible Human/Possible Society work of Dr. Jean Houston. As Jean said, upon hearing of his passing that Richard was an original, a wise thoughtful soul whose laughter and humor came from a deep source of the absurd. I deeply appreciated his partnership over the last 24 years. (Thank you Lyn Mathews Edwards, Mary Laura and Pam for your nudges). He had decided to support women leaders and was an incredible support to myself. He once told me, ‘His mission was to make me laugh every day! I am able to smile. Blessings Be

I will share more information as it unfolds. Richard stories will be appreciated. I am swing back and forth from gratitude and grief.

<21-04-29_Nepal zine-InDesign.pdf>_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

My two favorite stories about Richard are: Coming home from your wedding at the Cook County Courthouse which Ken and I were privileged to witness - Richard talked the whole way home in the limousine and called a number of favorite people to tell them the good news. Some of the familiar ones were Frank and Aimee Hilliard, John and Thea Patterson, and many family members and friends. It was a joyous day and a privilege to be there and share in the celebration. More than a few good friends said, "No way! Really?" and we all shouted, " Yes, really!" My second favorite story is that Richard called me on a Saturday evening and said he wanted to talk to me about something. He came over and talked for awhile about various things. Finally, he said, "I am on my way to Canada to be with Jan Sanders". And I said, "Then you better hurry and get on the road.". I think there are some other good stories from Lake Junaluska and the RSI Cadre at the University of South Carolina in the late 60s which worked on integrating the university politics and social structure. Richard was always a wise, genial and kind presence in our many strategy meetings at the Methodist Student Center with Don Bundy, Carol Pierce, Don Bushman and many others. Mary Laura Jones Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com On Thu, Apr 29, 2021 at 11:44 PM Janet Sanders via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

Dear Colleague,

This note is to share with you the passing of Richard ‘Dick’ Sims on Tuesday, April 27th. Four days earlier after a feast, he stopped eating and taking fluids. As an ‘essential care giver’ I have been able to visit him every day. On Tuesday, his breathing was more labored, and I had spent the morning with him, sharing songs, poetry and the silence. At about one, I began my weekly call with David Dunn. We have been working on an article called *Rituals in the Field: Nepal.* During the call, Richard stopped breathing. So gently, so peacefully. David stood in the place of ‘all the saints’ surrounding us. You were all there with us as we sang ‘Journey on, Journey on’.

I have attached the article which features a ritual Richard led in our 2007 Nepal training program. It weaves together the two great movements in our lives: The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Possible Human/Possible Society work of Dr. Jean Houston. As Jean said, upon hearing of his passing that Richard was an original, a wise thoughtful soul whose laughter and humor came from a deep source of the absurd. I deeply appreciated his partnership over the last 24 years. (Thank you Lyn Mathews Edwards, Mary Laura and Pam for your nudges). He had decided to support women leaders and was an incredible support to myself. He once told me, ‘His mission was to make me laugh every day! I am able to smile. Blessings Be

I will share more information as it unfolds. Richard stories will be appreciated. I am swing back and forth from gratitude and grief.

_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

Dear Jan, I'm sad to hear the news about Dick and glad to know that he was surrounded by love and memories in his last moment. Thank you for the Rituals in the Field article.  with loveDharma  On Friday, 30 April 2021, 11:44:59 am MYT, Janet Sanders via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: Dear Colleague,   This note is to share with you the passing of Richard ‘Dick’ Sims on Tuesday, April 27th. Four days earlier after a feast, he stopped eating and taking fluids. As an ‘essential care giver’ I have been able to visit him every day. On Tuesday, his breathing was more labored, and I had spent the morning with him, sharing songs, poetry and the silence. At about one, I began my weekly call with David Dunn. We have been working on an article called Rituals in the Field: Nepal. During the call, Richard stopped breathing. So gently, so peacefully.  David stood in the place of ‘all the saints’ surrounding us. You were all there with us as we sang ‘Journey on, Journey on’.     I have attached the article which features a ritual Richard led in our 2007 Nepal training program. It weaves together the two great movements in our lives: The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Possible Human/Possible Society work of Dr. Jean Houston. As Jean said, upon hearing of his passing that Richard was an original, a wise thoughtful soul whose laughter and humor came from a deep source of the absurd. I deeply appreciated his partnership over the last 24 years. (Thank you Lyn Mathews Edwards, Mary Laura and Pam for your nudges).  He had decided to support women leaders and was an incredible support to myself. He once told me, ‘His mission was to make me laugh every day!  I am able to smile.  Blessings Be   I will share more information as it unfolds.  Richard stories will be appreciated.   I am swing back and forth from gratitude and grief.     _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

Dear Jan, So glad you were able to spend the last hours with Richard sharing songs and poetry. It is a real blessing to be with a loved one at their death for you and the person who died. I experienced Jean Houston's image of Richard's humor coming from the absurd when we worked together in Kwang Yung Il in 1975. My Korean name translated to something like potato and Richard always called me spud. May you continue to be able to smile in your grief. Judith On Thu, Apr 29, 2021 at 10:44 PM Janet Sanders via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

Dear Colleague,

This note is to share with you the passing of Richard ‘Dick’ Sims on Tuesday, April 27th. Four days earlier after a feast, he stopped eating and taking fluids. As an ‘essential care giver’ I have been able to visit him every day. On Tuesday, his breathing was more labored, and I had spent the morning with him, sharing songs, poetry and the silence. At about one, I began my weekly call with David Dunn. We have been working on an article called *Rituals in the Field: Nepal.* During the call, Richard stopped breathing. So gently, so peacefully. David stood in the place of ‘all the saints’ surrounding us. You were all there with us as we sang ‘Journey on, Journey on’.

I have attached the article which features a ritual Richard led in our 2007 Nepal training program. It weaves together the two great movements in our lives: The Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Possible Human/Possible Society work of Dr. Jean Houston. As Jean said, upon hearing of his passing that Richard was an original, a wise thoughtful soul whose laughter and humor came from a deep source of the absurd. I deeply appreciated his partnership over the last 24 years. (Thank you Lyn Mathews Edwards, Mary Laura and Pam for your nudges). He had decided to support women leaders and was an incredible support to myself. He once told me, ‘His mission was to make me laugh every day! I am able to smile. Blessings Be

I will share more information as it unfolds. Richard stories will be appreciated. I am swing back and forth from gratitude and grief.

_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net