Remembering Richie Kendrick
By Judith Jaeger
Richie Kendrick was a member of the Physical Plant staff for nearly 40 years. He also ran a power-lifting program for students, faculty, staff and community members. Through this program, Kendrick had a profound impact on countless Clark students during the last three decades. Kendrick passed away on March 4, 2008, leaving a void for many Clark alumni, faculty and staff.
Four Clark alumni remember Kendrick here. They all described the same person: a man of few words, but who was generous with his time, advice, camaraderie, and even financial support with Clark students. They each pointed to his love for Clark and the community he created through power lifting.
Kathleen Batcheller'83 met Kendrick between her junior and senior year at Clark. She was not a student athlete, but worked out at the gym regularly. She trained with Kendrick while a student and after she graduated while she continued to live in Worcester. Batcheller appreciated meeting people in Kendrick's weight room whom she would not necessarily have met otherwise.
Richie trained athletes and non-athletes. He trained faculty and staff, kids from the neighborhood. He opened his doors to anyone who was serious about lifting. It was a really great and wonderful experience.
Richie was always dishing out wisdom. He always knew what to say. He was the most authentic person I've ever met. There was nothing pretentious about him. He had a huge heart, a razor sharp wit, and a laugh that could fill up a room. He had a gift for making everyone feel very special.
He taught me to really believe in myself, to have confidence and to believe that I can achieve whatever I want to do. He inspired self-confidence and faith .
Michael Derr'99 met Kendrick in the fall of 1993. By that time, the weight room had long since moved from its original location in the basement of what is now the dining hall to the basement of the Kneller Athletic Center. Derr recalls Kendrick making him "try out" with a tough work out. The rule was, as long as you tried and came back, you were in. In the Physical Plant Department, Kendrick was a pipe fitter and welder as well. According to Derr, he used his welding skills to design and build the weight-lifting equipment.
He would build stuff that you could probably put a house on top of. That was really neat, and he took a lot of pride in his work.
Everyone was welcome down in that weight room. This was the family that he fostered —this group of students, faculty and other members of the Clark community.
He made me really believe in myself. He showed me I could do things I didn't think I could do, and that spilled over into the rest of my life. Before going to Clark and meeting Richie, I wasn't very self-assured. Applying the confidence gained in his weight room to everything I do is a tremendous gift, and I credit Richie with instilling in me that confidence.
Marge O'Brien'83, assistant women's basketball coach at Clark, trained with Kendrick, as did several members of the women's team throughout the years. When O'Brien played for Clark, her team made it to the NCAA Division III Final Four in her junior and senior year, and she notes that most of the team worked out with Kendrick during that time. Like Batcheller and Derr, O'Brien connects building strength with building confidence and the success of a team. As a coach, she also appreciated how Kendrick worked with athletes from every sport and the discipline he brought to his training.
Richie was one of the most committed, dedicated people who worked behind the scenes with athletes.
He didn't look for glory or external recognition for anything that he did.
Richie loved Clark, and he always wanted to make sure that the right thing was being done and was the catalyst. He was instrumental in making sure memorial benches were installed for people who died, and he would provide financial support to needy students.
James Hulak'89 recalls spotting the weight-lifting room on his tour of Clark when he was a senior in high school. When he showed up to work out, however, Hulak was asked to leave and return for the infamous "try out." Hulak has always valued how Kendrick taught him to set new goals and reach them.
As soon as a milestone was met, there was a celebration, but new goals were made and sought after. There was no rest for the weary.
Richard understood me, understood the challenges the world puts in front of us and was able to shed very valuable insight on how to deal with some of the most challenging issues.
Richard taught me that you can be whatever it is you want to be as long as you are willing to work for it. There is nothing that can stop me but me.
These and other alumni have established a special memorial Web site honoring Kendrick. To be invited to view and participate in the site, e-mail Kathy Batcheller at kbatcheller@verizon.net. A group of alumni and staff has established a committee to raise funds for the Richie Kendrick memorial fund at Clark; Kathy Batcheller is the spokesperson for the group and can be contacted at kbatcheller@verizon.net. To make a contribution, please send your check to the Richie Kendrick Memorial Fund, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610. You may also visit Clark's online giving site at www.clarku.edu/clarkgift and indicate "Kendrick Memorial" after selecting gift designation "other."
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