According to his sister, Rose Ann, Bob Richey was always caring. Well, almost. "You have always been warm and supportive, except when it comes to your beer. I remember a party when you were on leave from the Marines. You kindly explained that your beer needed room in the fridge more than my Cokes, and that it would be a good time for your 11-year-old sister to retire early."

"Dad's second gift has been his generosity and support, often despite his well-founded misgivings about whatever I was up to. Whether by subsidizing my abortive musical career (including the funds to buy a band van when I was at Yale and should have been studying more), or helping me through later difficult times, he has always been there when I needed him. Dad has been my rock throughout my sometimes-rocky life, and I am more grateful to him for his love and support than I can ever express."

His daughter, Jan, appreciates how hard he worked to support his family, but points out that he always knew how to have fun. "I remember once at a family dinner, someone brought up a news article about a person being hurt by a marshmallow hurled from a slingshot. Dad figured we better try it ourselves, so us kids took turns lining up and being pelted by marshmallows. (They didn't really hurt.)" Then she recalls the Kelly's annual 4th of July party.

"All of us kids had bailed out and were hanging out at the corner down the street. Even from that distance, I could still hear my dad's laughter. He still laughs constantly and still makes us feel that his family comes first."

Now that he is a father himself, his youngest son, Chris, really appreciates what his dad did for him. "It seems that I am following in my father's footsteps as a parent and as a person: I try to ensure my children get a good education, my money seems to flow to my children, and I try to make decisions based on integrity. And that makes me proud - because I would consider it an honor to be like my father, and live my life to the high standards that he has set for himself and his family. My father is truly a wonderful person and a great dad!"

What his daughter-in-law Lynne loves most about Bob is that he is so good-natured. She says that for him age is of no importance because he has such a zest for life. "They say men and wine improve with age. In my humble opinion Bob has improved immensely, like a fine wine. And so has his taste in wine. When we first met, he was content to swill a glass of Glenn Ellen's finest $5 varietal. The years have expanded his horizons and his palate, and he is now as adventurous and discerning a wine drinker as he is a world-class traveler."

Daughter-in-law Julie said, "Bob is, above all, a quintessential 'family man.' He values the time spent with us so much, and it's evident that he puts a lot of love into planning our family holidays. His generosity is matched only by his affection for each family member. To spend time with Bob is to know and feel that you are welcomed, loved and valued as a part of the Richey family."

Then there are his five grandchildren, all of whom adore their Grandpa. The eldest, Catherine said, "Every time I do something with Grandpa, laughter is involved. Most memories I have of the two of us involve his smile. Even the time I got sick on his carpet and we schemed together to hide it from my mother, we were laughing."

"I'm surprised he hasn't recently asked me his favorite question. He seemed to always get a kick out of my smart-mouth response. When I was little, Grandpa would always dramatically pull me aside as if to ask a personal question. I knew what was coming. "Catherine," he started, looking me in the eyes, the image of sincerity, "Are you married yet?" My fixed reply was a drawn-out "Graaaandpa! I'm only seven years old!" The corners of his mouth would twitch, trying to withhold a burst of laughter, and he finished with "All right, well, I just thought I'd ask," after which I'd stomp off to find a Barbie and distract myself from the woes of being single. But when I do get married, quite a while from now, Grandpa will be among the first to know."

His oldest grandson Christopher said, "I've always loved having you in my life. I always love being around you, and especially the bear hugs I receive when we greet each other. Constantly being called "sport" is a fun experience. Going to "Camp Richey" has always been great, whether it's been seeing the confusing (to a certain Grandpa) "Lord of the Rings" or experiencing Helen's making-Martha-Stewart-jealous cooking, it's always been a perfect blast."

Claire said, "I like how he always greets me when I come downstairs for breakfast, and how he always helps me with the pinball machine. I like how he is a great grandfather and he doesn't smoke. He made me feel better when I was sick the day before my birthday." And Kate said, "I only know one thing: he's fun!"

So while Bob may be getting up in years, he is still forever full of life. As Christopher said, "You are the one who prevents me from believing that old people are boring."