By any measure, GR has truly been a leader among men.  Throughout his life he enjoyed an outstanding reputation and has been one of a unique group of individuals (and taking the liberty to use the following expression) who truly was a legend in his time.  He was not a flash in the pan, but unfailingly has been a man among men, a man’s man, whether that was in the United States Navy, the San Diego Police Department, as a member of his community, or amongst his family and friends.  He was always a standup, standout individual, willing to speak his mind and to do that which he believed was right, and always a man of his word and to be counted on.  And even with his quick wit and unrelenting sense of humor, he took life seriously and was always a source of wisdom and sound guidance for those entrusted to his care, for those who sought his support, and for those he merely would take under wing. 

  He and his family sacrificed much throughout his life, because GR was a man committed to causes greater than himself.  His 25 years in the United States Navy and his 17 years in the San Diego Police department speak to a man who gave of himself for the benefit of his fellow man.  GR was willing to endure the long deployments and separation from family while at sea, or to face the daily uncertainty and risk encountered as a law enforcement officer, to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as citizens in this great country of ours …  and that was important to him.  He was always the man others wanted as their instructor, or on their dive, or on their mission, or to be their friend, or to simply acknowledge approval of them, because he personified those characteristics that all men aspire to have and to uphold, and that make us true men.

 None of us are perfect and it is comforting to know that GR admitted that about himself.  For those who were close and knew him, there was no greater gift from GR than to hear him pray, to see him maintain his dignity, to hear his testimony of the journey he took from being an orphan, to being told that he would not live to be thirty, to reading the entire Bible on a submarine deployment, to his acknowledging and reflecting on the devoted support of his family and friends throughout the years.  For while GR did not wear his religion on his sleeve, he carried it in his heart and his soul, and he was willing to share it as he found strength and comfort in his faith as he faced this last great challenge of his life. He was a Christian and he was saved.  And, as we would all expect, GR passed away as he had lived, strong in courage, with dignity and with commitment to finish the task well, and he never felt forsaken by his God or sorry for himself.  He has truly passed to a greater life, he is at peace, and he is free.