Denise Harrington
Rick had an incredible impact on me and my children. From the moment he took me (and my son for a tour) aboard Ship Rainier as a new Teacher at Sea, to the day he helped my daughter network for a job as a fish observer out of Dutch Harbor this year, he has inspired us to understand all the work NOAA does and to participate in it. I have learned to write better, work harder, and enjoy moments of reflection. He reinvigorated me as a teacher, and helped my daughter get off her feet as a nascent marine biologist. I have no doubt that her interest in the career was fueled in part by all I learned from him aboard Ship Rainier and the support he gave her as she looked for work. He will be missed.