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Author Topic: RIP Gene Rychlak  (Read 595 times)

Online AlexanderOmand

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RIP Gene Rychlak
« on: July 26, 2019, 01:00:26 PM »
I got a call from Ame Rychlak this morning at 530am.

Gene passed in the night.  His heart gave out. 

I'm in a bit of shock today, as I just talked with him yesterday.  He was feeling good, and looking forward to hearing how my competition went.  I was deu to compete at the Maine state Champhionship tomorrow, but am now headed to York PA to assist Ame this weekend.

He paved the way for so many lifters, and enriched so many lives.  While he made many people mad, far more loved him for what he did for Powerlifting. 

Now, there's a few of us that will be picking up the leadership of RPS and assisting Ame as she is now the owner and Director. 

My heart is heavy today.
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Online Bando

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2019, 02:46:24 PM »
Terrible news  :'(
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Online ShawnJ

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2019, 05:23:23 PM »
Very sad news, RIP Gene! :'(
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Online FLEX

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2019, 08:13:43 PM »
Very sad news.   :'(

Much respect to you for stepping up.  I knew you would.

Give Ame our regards.  We both posted already on her notice.
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Powerlifting Meet Bests:

2018.04.28:  620 Squat, 345 Bench, 615 Dead   |  1580 Total
2017.04.29:  610 Squat, 325 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1535 Total
2016.04.22:  600 Squat, 330 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1530 Total
2015.08.09:  600 Squat, 320 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1520 Total

Online Bando

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2019, 08:59:20 PM »
Absolutely the right decision to carry on with the meets. If they got cancelled I could see Gene resuscitating himself just to come back and yell at people for cancelling.

Also, I noticed a couple other feds on IG were heavily promoting their own meets this morning, I get it that they're happy he's gone, but talk about low class. :wtf:
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Offline itsagoodday

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2019, 10:09:28 AM »
RIP to Gene, and all my best to those he left behind.   :'(
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Offline John

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2019, 01:05:07 PM »
Sad news. RIP, Gene.
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Offline reduni

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2019, 09:10:35 PM »
RIP Gene. I'll never forget sitting in his morning rules meeting and explaining how he wanted it to be an event you can bring your family to and not be worried. I'm glad to have been a part of a couple meets and had a blast. The spirit of just being able to lift and not be judged about how much is on the bar is what it's about. His legacy will live on in his meets and everyone who attends.
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Online Bando

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2019, 12:14:03 AM »
Quote from: reduni on July 27, 2019, 09:10:35 PM
The spirit of just being able to lift and not be judged about how much is on the bar is what it's about.

Think it was Supremacy 2016, I brought a tiny Asian girl, her 1st attempt on bench was the bar. She got as many cheers as the guy with the 700lb DL. Gene was all about that and treated her opener with the utmost respect.
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Online AlexanderOmand

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2019, 10:23:31 AM »
Thanks All, He truly was one of a kind.

THe Meet ran well, AMe held it together for the Most part.  I did as well.  Chewed down a few extra Nolvadex to keep the emotions in check, though.

So many people told stories about him and their interactions. 

We had a guy at the Meet, going for a 1000lb Single-ply bench.  He missed all three attempts, but he locked out each one.  Foot moved, Butt came up, small things.  I was head judge for it. 

As soon as Jimmy finished his 3rd attempt, we loaded 1010lbs on the bar, We left the head judge seat empty, clicked on the 3 white lights and had a moment of silence.  Absolutely, one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Not a single person took a picture or made a noise. 

The hardest part for me (other than driving by myself of 800+ miles round trip), was loading the trailer up after the Meet.  I did Gene's duty and coordinated loading it.  In the 7 years I've been helping at Meets, loading and unloading that trailer, it felt amazingly empty without him in there directing what was to be loaded next. 

Ame has asked me to take on a more involved position with RPS, and Ill be traveling a bit more now. 
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Do not fear The Iron, for it does not care.
The Iron is Resolute in Purpose, Steadfast in Intent, Unwavering in Desire, and Immovable in Stature.
Unless acted upon by a Superior Force.
Squat: 545; Bench: 350; Deadlift: 610; Total: 1490

Online Bando

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2019, 11:34:21 AM »
Very touching.  You're a hell of a Man for stepping up this weekend.
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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2019, 08:13:30 PM »
Nice post Alex, and again well done for stepping up.

If I wasn't still in Jamaica I might've done the same.
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Powerlifting Meet Bests:

2018.04.28:  620 Squat, 345 Bench, 615 Dead   |  1580 Total
2017.04.29:  610 Squat, 325 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1535 Total
2016.04.22:  600 Squat, 330 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1530 Total
2015.08.09:  600 Squat, 320 Bench, 600 Dead   |  1520 Total

Offline reduni

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Re: RIP Gene Rychlak
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2019, 08:58:48 PM »
I'll echo what the other 2 have said. Well done. As per my previous post, this is the spirit and goodwill that I have witnessed at the 2 meets I've attended. With people like you, RPS will continue to carry on strong.
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