Richard K. Leighton
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969

"Dearest Ann, I don't have the words to express my love for you and your family during this time. What a shock to lose him so suddenly. I salute you and your courage. I wish you love, warmth, family and stamina to get through these next few months. God will give you all the patience and perverence you'll need. Love and hugs, Ella Jo"

"I am stunned and saddened by the loss of my dear friend, Rich. I cherish memories of singing together, golfing and cheering for IU. He was a man of great spirit and he will be missed. My sincere condolences to his beautiful wife, Anne; daughers Michelle, Christy, Jennifer and his dear mother, Catherine. "

"Shocked and saddened at Rich's passing. His passion for Cathedral High School was evident. Blessings to you, Anne, and your family. Our prayers are with you."

"As friends of Michele and her family our hearts are saddened for your loss. We have always enjoyed Mr Leighton's fun spirit during family/friend gatherings. Our prayers are with you. Love, Dave, Meshell and Ben Richman"

"Anne and Family: Jim and I are so sad...there is just no other way to describe how we have felt after Dick called yesterday! We commit to keeping all of you in our prayers during these next hours, weeks, months. What I would really like is to be there to give you a long - or series of - hugs. Just know that our prayers and love are traveling between Fayetteville and all of you! Our love, Jim and Jo Ann"

"As long-time friends of Jennifer, our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Leighton family. Jen, we love you and are thinking of you. "

"Ann - We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of your beloved "Rich." His jovial attitude and always pleasant smile will be missed by all. His presence at the "Round Table.at Meridian Hills was special in many ways and it will not be the same without him."

"Dear Leightons,My thoughts and prayers are with you. It was a joy and a privilege to work with Rich on the Board at Cathedral. His love for you all, for life and for the many ways God called him to build the Kingdom was so evident in everything he did. May he now enjoy eternal life with God in heaven. I offered Mass for Rich today in here in Rome, and I will continue to remember you all that you may know the comfort and peace of our Lord.Peace in Christ, Fr. Pat Beidelman"

"Dear Anne and Family, I'm so sorry to hear of Rich's passing. You are in my prayers and in my heart. "

"Michele and Family,My heart is breaking for all of you as you mourn this sudden loss of a dear loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Eileen"

"Anne,Rich is missed by all of his friends and fellow golfers at Meridian Hills. He always brightened up everyone's spirits with a kind word or, most often, several words of humor or wisdom, and he made everyone around him proud to know him and be associated with him. You have been in the thoughts of everyone at the club, and we all extend our sympathies to you and your family. He will be missed by everyone."

"Dear Anne and FamilyWe were so sad to read of your great loss and just want you to know how much you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.With loveRoy and Mary"

"Dear Anne: We were truly shocked to hear of that Rich had passed. We both have fond memories singing with you and rich at OLMC. I'm glad we had the opportunity to see you just two weeks ago at the Carmel Variety show. Our prayers are with you and the family in this time of need. Good speed Rich and Gof be with you. Tom & Elaine Schmidter "

"Ann. I am so sorry you have to go through this and that I am so far away and cannot be with you.Love, Sarah"

"To Rich Leighton's family...I'm sorry to have never made your acquaintence...but just wanted you to know Rich was really a great guy. I worked with him on a bunch of Cathedral stuff and he was just fun and straght forward to work with....and even more fun on the golf course! We will all miss him. I pray God's grace upon you during this time of grief but pray too that your faith in Jesus Christ will assure you of meeting up with him again.Sincerely In Christ, Cliff Sellery"

""

"Anne: When I joined the choir, I couldn't read music. I sat next to Rich, who always had the right note. He was always happy and helpful, and his voice was a gift he shared with all of us. I felt like I had my big brother singing next to me, and never had to worry.Our loss is small compared to yours, but we'll miss him every Wednesday and Sunday. I hope I can help out the new folks in choir the way he always helped us.We'll think of him whenever we sing, may God bless you and your familyChuck"

"Ann, Grateful to Rich for a number of fun rounds of golf. With Mike Feeney, Matt Berg, Rich and myself did a lot of laughing. Thank you, Don"

"Anne, This morning I was enjoying photos of my 1952 First Holy Communion class which, of course, includes Rich. He is also part of the Cathedral High Band photo of 1963 with Bob McClelland and Bob Muehlhausen. We had so many good times together during our early years, and, today, he's the same fellow as always. I will miss his friendship and guidance in the choir. CarolAnn and I wish him peace in his eternal salvation and you the joy knowing of his perfect reward in life."

"We offer our sincere condolences to Ann and the Leighton family. What wonderful emories we all have of Rich and pray that we will be with him someday."

" Our thoughts and prayers are for you and the entire Leighton family. Many fond memories of summers spent playing card/board games on the screened- in porch in the house on Primrose Avenue! "

"We give you our condolences."

"We sure have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Leighton via Brian and Christy -- and our lives have been enriched because of this great man. God has brought him home so soon for reasons we may never know -- but we pray that God holds all of you in His loving care. "

"WE're very sorry about your loss."

"You're in my thoughts and prayers."

"Ann, Jim and I are so sddened by Rich's passing. He was such an intragrel part of our choir and so full of life. It was an experience just being around him. Our love goes out to you and the girls and all your family. Jim and Elaine"

"Ann, Karen and I express our deepest sympathy to you. I always enjoyed the day I got to tee it up with Rich. He was alays fun, great with the needle, but always the gentleman. Tom Moore and I played Rich and Jim Williams always almost on an annual basis."

"Rich was a fine man. We will all miss him deeply. With deepest sympathies. John Elbin"

"Dearest Leighton Family:You all are in our thoughts and I am deeply saddened by your loss. We have known Mr. Leighton through Jennifer's stories since college and had met him on several occassions. His sense of humor and love for his family shined through immediately. Jen, I wish we could be there with you during this time - it is very hard to not be there at your side - and I know your family and friends will be of great comfort. We are thinking of your family in these difficult times. With love and deepest sympaties - the waltons. "

"Jennifer and family, our prayers are with you and your dad."

"Dear Anne and Family,My heart goes out to you. Rich had worked with me at a couple of his clients and I came to think of him as a friend. It was always a pleasure to see him. I will miss him. May God Bless you All."

"Christy/Brian & Michelle/Mike and Families,We want to send our deepest sympathy to you all at this very difficult time. We are so sorry to hear about your Dad. Please know you and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. "

"Anne, Christy, Jennifer and Michele,Tom and I send our sympathy and prayers for all of you at this difficult. time. LIke so many others who have left messages, we have such fond memories of being in the choir together. And though it's been a few years, I have great memories of all of you as a part of OLMC school. May God grant you peace and comfort."

"Dear Ann,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family with your sudden loss. May God give you peace and understanding.Love & God Bless you! Jessica & Matt Nettleton"

"I certainly have fond memories of playing sports with Rich and his brothers as we were all growing up in Christ the King Church and school. Sorry that we could not attend the service, but did make it to early Mass this morning to pray for the family... Dave Shannk"

"Dear Leightons,My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I greatly enjoyed Rich's company and conversation on all those Friday the 13th's.Dave Bullock"

"There are no words.I will miss him.May God bless and keep you and your familyJim"

"Anne, Christy, Jennifer and Michele,Don and I were very saddened to hear of your Husband and Father"

"What a horrendous shock! The phone calls from Aunt Catherine and Aunt Agnes were devastating to all of us here. "Young vibrant " people are NOT supposed to leave their family at that age. Rest assured that Rich will live within and along side you forever, Anne.Your loving cousin---Barbara"

"Jenny,I received a phone call from Lee Ann last evening. She had received an e-mail from a mutual friend about your father. She did not know the funeral home and asked me to see if I could find any information. She sends you and your family her deepest sympathy and love. She and Will were in a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand and leaving there today. She will get in contact with you as soon as she able to get back to some communication."

"Ann and family: My brother Jack just called me and told me the sad news. I am so very sorry for all of you. It's been many years since I have seen all of you but I have very fond memories of my babysitting days when you lived across the street.Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time."

"Dear Ann, We have just attended Rich's funeral mass , which has to be one of the most beautiful and meaningful services within my recent memory. Certainly he would have approved resoundingly!!!! We will continue to hold you in our prayers as we have experienced the shock of the news of sudden death. We will also always remember the special kindness that you and Rich extended to us when our Ellen died. Truly that is living our faith, and we felt it then, and extend to you our prayers and open arms likewise and with love."

"Anne,Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....Rich was one of the first to invite me to play golf when I joined Meridian Hills.We enjoyed many,many rounds together .I respected his wisdom and insight as we worked together over the years regarding various financial and governance issues concerning Meridian Hills.I will miss him greatly but I take comfort in knowing that he lived a good life,knew who he was and knew he made a difference in everything he did.He was truly a great person and we are happy that he was part of our lives."

"To the Leighton family: I met Rich in the "Friday the 13th club. He was a real gentleman and a lot of fun to be around. Our organization will really miss him.God bless him and all of you."

"Dear Ann and daughters, Don and I express our deepest sympathy in the death of your husband and father. We are never ready for what God has in store for us. Too young to die, but loved by God to be taken into his eternal resting place. He was a fun person to be around, great choir memories. I was not able to attend the funeral but Don said it was very holy and an honor to Rich. Blessings to all of you. In prayer, vivian and don"

"Christy , Brian and the kids: Please know our prayers are with you and we are so very sorry for your loss. THe obituary you wrote was SUCH a tribute and he sounded like an incredible person. God bless you and be with you."

"Anne, my dear, Rich's funeral was such a wonderful tribute to an amazing man. You both have been such fun to know through the choir and elsewhere and Rich will be truly missed by everyone whose path he crossed. I know he was looking down on us yesterday with a smile, and probably was singing along. Your family love and strength are an inspiration and will get you all through this difficult time. Please include us among the many friends who offer to help in any way possible. God bless you all, Peg and Ted"

"Dear Ann and family. We were so sad to hear about your loss and are thinking of you and praying for you. I know your wonderful family and all your friends are a comfort at this time. In reading the obituary I realized we've been married the same length of time you two had. What a lot of shared wonderful memories you'll have. Love Thea "

"Dear Ann,I have known and played golf with thousands of people in my lifetime. Rich was instantly a favorite and would be in my all time favorite foursome. I know that he will be dearly missed by his family and army of friends. God Bless your family.Gary Gibboney"

"Jennifer,We just heard of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family."

"Mr. Leighton will always be remembered by us as a fun-loving, generous, kind-hearted, and hard-working family man. He showed us what it really meant to tailgate at Indiana University football games! He and his family are a huge part of our memories of our college years. We are greatly saddened by the loss of this wonderful man and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.The Adeli Family"

"Anne, How saddened and shocked we were to hear today about Rich' death, as we were out of town last weekend! What a great husband, father and friend he was to so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. May the loving support you from so many be a comfort to you. Ed and Diane Jolliffe"

"Dearest Ann and Family: Bob and I are shocked to hear about Rich's death. Our hearts are heavy with saddness and concern for you and the family. Our time in Carmel was a marvelous experience due in part to Rich & Ann Leighton. From singing in the choir, surpirsing Ann on her 40th birthday, to our first tailgate and college football game at IU. Our families grew in friendship.We have all of you in our prayers and may you feel God's arms wrapped around you. He will hold you tight until he feels your strength once more. We love you and miss you.Bob and Julie Strawn"

"Dear Ann,Our sincerest condolences to you and your family. All will miss Rich's dynamic and fun-loving presence. His loving spirit will remain in our memories. Nancy & MIke McKendry"

"Dear Aunt Anne, Michelle, Christy, Jenny, and families: Our hearts hurt for you, especially; and all of us who knew Uncle Rich. What a genuine person. We have no words to heal this wound. Time may make it easier. Take care of each other. All our love. "

"Dear Anne,Steve and I were so saddened to hear of the passing of Rich. We always remember him with a big smile and very fun loving.Our deepest sympathy to you and your daughters and their families.Please know we will keep you in our prayers. Peace and love,Steve and Paulette Davis"