My dear friend, former student, and colleague, Rick Barbour, lost his wife, Cheri Murch to cancer in late July. This is a devastating loss, as Cheri was far too young to take leave of a world in which she was an incandescent beacon, providing light and love for Rick, for their two beautiful, extraordinary children, Eli and Ava Grace, both now in middle and high school, for her step-dauqhter, Annie Barbour – and for all who knew her.

A few of us (Anne Penner, Tim McCracken, Alison Watrous, and others) have discussed the idea of establishing a GoFundMe campaign to provide seed money for Eli and Ava’s future education . . . college or whatever course of study or training they choose to pursue – as well as to help with the inevitable, unexpected medical expenses that Cheri and Rick’s heroic battle may have incurred.

Toward that end, please consider a contribution of any amount – and please help spread the word! We’ve set a modest goal of $6,000 and a deadline of October 1, which coincides with Cheri’s memorial life celebration, to take place in Denver on that date.

Frankly, we’d like to blow past that amount by at least double, and hope you’ll help us do exactly that - and now, as of Sunday, 9/17, that we've reached more than $9,000 in donations (in just over 5 days!), we're increasing our goal to $12,000.

Thank you so much for keeping Rick, Eli, and Ava Grace in your hearts, and for honoring Cheri’s memory, and her indelible presence in the world.

Paul (Barnes); Ashland, OR

(The attached photo was taken on an inlet off the Mississippi River near Winona, Minnesota, Summer 2009, where Rick was for many seasons Production Manager of the Great River Shakespeare Festival, director of numerous Apprentice Acting Company projects and the professional company productions of All’s Well That Ends Well and Treasure Island; Cheri was a dedicated supporter; and where Eli and Ava Grace were active participants in GRSF’s education programs alongside many other kids of the company.)