Rick West

[phil_p]

Just a thought. In January 2013, when my wife, Linda, and I were last in northern Florida, Rick West told us that Florida was requiring him to retire from active duty from Peacock, effective March 2014. While he also said that he could return as a part-timer after six months in retirement-- and may well do so-- this is still a milestone for him as well as this community.

If my memory is correct and Rick's retirement is indeed imminent, would it be appropriate for the NFSA and/or any of the other cave diving organizations in northern Florida to do something for Rick by way of recognizing his years of service to this community?

Apologies in advance for not taking any responsibility for making good on this suggestion. Even if issues related to my mother's health hadn't disrupted our annual trip south, Linda and I wouldn't be the best people to initiate this. We haven't interacted with Rick to the nearly the same extent as this board's mainstays, whom I hope would have come to appreciate his demeanor and supportiveness to that much more of an extent.

[Kelly Jessop]

Just a thought. In January 2013, when my wife, Linda, and I were last in northern Florida, Rick West told us that Florida was requiring him to retire from active duty from Peacock, effective March 2014. While he also said that he could return as a part-timer after six months in retirement-- and may well do so-- this is still a milestone for him as well as this community.

If my memory is correct and Rick's retirement is indeed imminent, would it be appropriate for the NFSA and/or any of the other cave diving organizations in northern Florida to do something for Rick by way of recognizing his years of service to this community?

Apologies in advance for not taking any responsibility for making good on this suggestion. Even if issues related to my mother's health hadn't disrupted our annual trip south, Linda and I wouldn't be the best people to initiate this. We haven't interacted with Rick to the nearly the same extent as this board's mainstays, whom I hope would have come to appreciate his demeanor and supportiveness to that much more of an extent.

Rick has asked me to clarify this if the issue came up. My understanding is he isn't being forced to retire,but has planned retirement in 2015 if I recall correctly. Rick has been a fixture at Peacock for many years,and has always been there to help. Please thank him and any other personnel you see,because they do a great job with the resources they have available,and a lot is done out of easy observation.