Go thee in peace, ‘Mfalme Rico’
By Gideon Karuri
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| Go thee in peace Fr Mutuku |
Friendship,
dedication, decency, reliability, honor, dignity and respect: these are all
qualities Richard not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day during
his short visit on this earth.
He was a serious
and disciplined priest, brother, son and friend. He could never resist the
opportunity to have a laugh with friends and loved ones, given half the chance.
I first met Richard or Rico as we used to call him, on Thursday 16th March 2000, the year that we joined St. Camillus Seminary in Nairobi. We became friends, unknown to us the long journey that awaited us in formation. The first impression was very positive because Richard was so friendly, very clean (his room could prove this) and a very peaceful young man.
In the course of our philosophy studies, most of us were engaged in the so called philosophical arguments. We all thought we have so much philosophy in us. Richard with a lot of wit held these discussions with a lot of calm and maturity. He loved computers so much. He was ready to assist anyone struggling with an assignment even in the dead of the night.
Her carried out his duties always humming his favorite Kamba tunes, spiced by some self praising own compositions, like the well known ‘mfalme Rico’ of the Jeshi la Mavoloni song. He was also a dedicated entertainment chairman and later a liturgical master.
In the course of our Novitiate, Richard worked so hard. He run a small kitchen garden where we could all get our fresh vegetables. He assisted everyone in their respective working places, and was very famous with the patients and staff of the hospital in Karungu.
In our theology years, he was in charge of the visitors, and there were lots of complements from many that he handled. That spirit of resilience and good humor would see Richard through more pain and tragedy than most of us will ever know. He lost his brother when we were young in formation and later on lost his dear father, whom we met and shared a lot of talks when he paid Richard frequent visits in the Seminary. He sailed through the losses with lots of humility and thanksgiving to God, the giver of life.
Richard was a straightforward man who demanded little from those around him, and who expected only the best from everyone. To me, his finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom. It’s difficult to imagine him not being around and I’m not sure how we will all cope. He was an imposing figure of a man, a tall, light, handsome character whose reassuring presence we all felt during difficult times, especially when we imitated his walking style.
As we remember and commemorate his life, we bid him farewell as we mourn the loss of a lively, dignified soul. A soul that brought joy and fulfillment to many, and whose legacy will live on forever.
Richard has gone home now, to be with the father, guided by his faith and by the light of those that he has loved and lost. At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good that he did, the dream he kept alive, and a single, enduring image — the image of a farmer going home after a long day in the field, to relax and watch over his crops grow with happiness.
(Gideon Karuri schooled with Fr Mutuku for many time)
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