I worked with Dick in early 1980’s, and kept in touch with him through the years. Dick was dedicated Geologist who really loved his work, and will always be remembered for his good sense of humor and drive to do the right thing. He will be missed.
Many times we wait until a friend has died to tell the world what a wonderful person they were, and I’m just as guilty as the next person about that. Today, I would like to pay tribute to a very dear boss, friend and adopted father of mine. And I pray that God will allow me to be present as he is presented with his crown of glory. His name is Chief Richard Scott Vormelker . Over the years, he taught me that we one could be friends with pretty much anyone if they gave it time. His sudden death came with so many questions, lessons and memories – lately, it’s like he is painted all over the streets.
I met Chief 23 years ago when I was about graduating from the University. I went for a Job fair at the Lagos YatchClub in search of opportunities to work with one of this great companies on set this day. I was so excited asking questions and filling out all kinds of papers so as to be hired, but no one will hire me because I have no experience. I cried my eyes out and I went to sit down on a bench when Papa walks to me and asked me what’s wrong? I told him why I was there in the Job fair and how disappointed I was as no one will hire a freshly graduate to be with no experience and I told him if I don’t start somewhere to get experience how do I get it? With tears flowing down my eyes and he said don’t worry, come see me in my office tomorrow for an interview and you can work as my PR( personal Representative )and an assistant. I was so happy, it’s like heaven should come down and rejoice with me. We became close after his late wife Tina’s death. As we mourned his late wife, I realised that behind been macho act for the world from a vulnerable man. And I prodded till I broke through that wall and made him relaxed around me & made him laugh most times because I love jokes, he’s got good sense of humour too.
Let me describe Chief to you all, he was the most focused and intelligent 81 plus-years-old I knew – no wonder people who knew him used to refer to him as “bigger brains”. You would think he either manufactured or was a magnet for brilliant business ideas. The amazing thing about all his ideas is that directly or indirectly, they were meant to help people. He was sacrificial and a very good listener – he always listened however trivial the problem was. Chief, always wanted to be strong for everyone and hated being vulnerable. As the rest of us whined about life, he was always the optimistic one. He was a role model to so many of his friends.
My most memorable moment is the night he called me when I was living in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 He told me just had a baby girl from his last marriage. “You won the award of Papa” I screamed with joy on the telephone. Chief, you continued to be a person that offered comfort, fun and motivation for the things that I needed to do in life. You also introduced me to your friends and helped me fit into the international world. Thank you for being there for me always. You are a big influence in my life. Thank you for being a friend.” I cried.
I miss our laughs and jokes, when I acted like a Cowgirl from Texas with my 🤠 cowboy hat and those cowboy boots with a cowboy belt and my name on the buckle. Then I will be mimicking some Country songs and you will laugh your eyes out. I miss pretending that I’m a cowgirl. And how much we laughed when people around all gazed and took us for real. I miss you so much Papa.
I’m glad that you accepted Christ as your personal saviour and went to heaven. I pray that we all join you there someday. We love you and you will forever be in our hearts. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
From: “Dayo Omoniyi”
Sent: Thu, May 10, 2018 at 17:41
Subject: ODE TO AN ICON.
ODE TO AN ICON.
Once again,
Night has fallen; like every other time
Drawing the curtain that an octogenarian may quit the stage,
And so
With painful joys bursting our mortal hearts
We inscribe an elegy in the skies: an ode to an icon,
Thankful for a life well lived and a love well loved.
Once again,
We say of you:
“If our faiths be bigger than watermelons
That moving mountains were a mere child’s play;
We couldn’t have prayed for a better father,
And now that he’s sailed yonder
To where angels fly; tears boil over in our eyes pot
Flowing into our hearts.
Call me the poet,
That he may weave intricate lines of poetry
Into utopian garments of elegy
That can only be worn by a giant among equals,
For we stand on the soles of our tattered feet
To have a better view of the souls of your glorious feats
That have caused our faces to shine.
Shall I sing thee a thousand eulogy?
For thou hath earned for thyself a burial in the mortal hearts of men,
And shall we place thee in the casket of the gods— RELIGION.
For thou art venerated by men,
So I ask once again
As in ashes for ashes, dust for dust
Shall we cover thee with myth and legend?
Call me a Nobel Laureate,
That he may write thy story
In the golden pages of history
For fathers need hand down beautiful tales of this enigmatic icon to their sons
Till the myths become Chinese whispers
And he live forever for that alone befits a hero
Who mastered mother earth so well that he dug up the best from her.
Though a thousand miles apart
We the Omoniyis felt the warmth of your smile
And now that thy beautiful smile has set like the golden evening sun,
We shudder slightly
Catching a cold from the absence of your smile,
Smiles so patrician— exclusive to great men,
Great men with large hearts— hearts with a room for all.
Great men like Richard Scott Vormelker.
Adieu papa.
With love from the entire Omoniyi Family. ( Lilian sister) From Nigeria
Dad, I miss you so much. About one month before you passed away you posted on Facebook that you had the best son ever. You don’t realize how much that means to me. After so many years of never hearing these things from you, I now realize you loved me. I love you. I pray that I’ll see you again with Jesus and we’re flying together to meet Him in the air. But only God knows. You were a kind, giving man to those around you. You looked passed the faults of others showing the love of Jesus. Unfortunately that’s what took your life from your earthly vessel. You’re resting now, instead of suffering in your breathing. I wish I had the opportunity to at least see you one last time. The day you dropped Seth off here I had a notion, a feeling from the Holy Spirit, but didn’t recognize right away. I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to that. We all miss you, Gina, the boys, you’ve left a whole in our hearts. I love you. I miss you.
Dad, I miss you so much. About one month before you passed away you posted on Facebook that you had the best son ever. You don’t realize how much that means to me. After so many years of never hearing these things from you, I now realize you loved me. I love you. I pray that I’ll see you again with Jesus and we’re flying together to meet Him in the air. But only God knows. You were a kind, giving man to those around you. You looked passed the faults of others showing the love of Jesus. Unfortunately that’s what took your life from your earthly vessel. You’re resting now, instead of suffering in your breathing. I wish I had the opportunity to at least see you one last time. The day you dropped Seth off here I had a notion, a feeling from the Holy Spirit, but didn’t recognize right away. I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to that. We all miss you, Gina, the boys, you’ve left a whole in our hearts. I love you. I miss you.
I worked with Dick in early 1980’s, and kept in touch with him through the years. Dick was dedicated Geologist who really loved his work, and will always be remembered for his good sense of humor and drive to do the right thing. He will be missed.
Many times we wait until a friend has died to tell the world what a wonderful person they were, and I’m just as guilty as the next person about that. Today, I would like to pay tribute to a very dear boss, friend and adopted father of mine. And I pray that God will allow me to be present as he is presented with his crown of glory. His name is Chief Richard Scott Vormelker . Over the years, he taught me that we one could be friends with pretty much anyone if they gave it time. His sudden death came with so many questions, lessons and memories – lately, it’s like he is painted all over the streets.
I met Chief 23 years ago when I was about graduating from the University. I went for a Job fair at the Lagos YatchClub in search of opportunities to work with one of this great companies on set this day. I was so excited asking questions and filling out all kinds of papers so as to be hired, but no one will hire me because I have no experience. I cried my eyes out and I went to sit down on a bench when Papa walks to me and asked me what’s wrong? I told him why I was there in the Job fair and how disappointed I was as no one will hire a freshly graduate to be with no experience and I told him if I don’t start somewhere to get experience how do I get it? With tears flowing down my eyes and he said don’t worry, come see me in my office tomorrow for an interview and you can work as my PR( personal Representative )and an assistant. I was so happy, it’s like heaven should come down and rejoice with me. We became close after his late wife Tina’s death. As we mourned his late wife, I realised that behind been macho act for the world from a vulnerable man. And I prodded till I broke through that wall and made him relaxed around me & made him laugh most times because I love jokes, he’s got good sense of humour too.
Let me describe Chief to you all, he was the most focused and intelligent 81 plus-years-old I knew – no wonder people who knew him used to refer to him as “bigger brains”. You would think he either manufactured or was a magnet for brilliant business ideas. The amazing thing about all his ideas is that directly or indirectly, they were meant to help people. He was sacrificial and a very good listener – he always listened however trivial the problem was. Chief, always wanted to be strong for everyone and hated being vulnerable. As the rest of us whined about life, he was always the optimistic one. He was a role model to so many of his friends.
My most memorable moment is the night he called me when I was living in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 He told me just had a baby girl from his last marriage. “You won the award of Papa” I screamed with joy on the telephone. Chief, you continued to be a person that offered comfort, fun and motivation for the things that I needed to do in life. You also introduced me to your friends and helped me fit into the international world. Thank you for being there for me always. You are a big influence in my life. Thank you for being a friend.” I cried.
I miss our laughs and jokes, when I acted like a Cowgirl from Texas with my 🤠 cowboy hat and those cowboy boots with a cowboy belt and my name on the buckle. Then I will be mimicking some Country songs and you will laugh your eyes out. I miss pretending that I’m a cowgirl. And how much we laughed when people around all gazed and took us for real. I miss you so much Papa.
I’m glad that you accepted Christ as your personal saviour and went to heaven. I pray that we all join you there someday. We love you and you will forever be in our hearts. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
With Love,
Princess.
From: “Dayo Omoniyi”
Sent: Thu, May 10, 2018 at 17:41
Subject: ODE TO AN ICON.
ODE TO AN ICON.
Once again,
Night has fallen; like every other time
Drawing the curtain that an octogenarian may quit the stage,
And so
With painful joys bursting our mortal hearts
We inscribe an elegy in the skies: an ode to an icon,
Thankful for a life well lived and a love well loved.
Once again,
We say of you:
“If our faiths be bigger than watermelons
That moving mountains were a mere child’s play;
We couldn’t have prayed for a better father,
And now that he’s sailed yonder
To where angels fly; tears boil over in our eyes pot
Flowing into our hearts.
Call me the poet,
That he may weave intricate lines of poetry
Into utopian garments of elegy
That can only be worn by a giant among equals,
For we stand on the soles of our tattered feet
To have a better view of the souls of your glorious feats
That have caused our faces to shine.
Shall I sing thee a thousand eulogy?
For thou hath earned for thyself a burial in the mortal hearts of men,
And shall we place thee in the casket of the gods— RELIGION.
For thou art venerated by men,
So I ask once again
As in ashes for ashes, dust for dust
Shall we cover thee with myth and legend?
Call me a Nobel Laureate,
That he may write thy story
In the golden pages of history
For fathers need hand down beautiful tales of this enigmatic icon to their sons
Till the myths become Chinese whispers
And he live forever for that alone befits a hero
Who mastered mother earth so well that he dug up the best from her.
Though a thousand miles apart
We the Omoniyis felt the warmth of your smile
And now that thy beautiful smile has set like the golden evening sun,
We shudder slightly
Catching a cold from the absence of your smile,
Smiles so patrician— exclusive to great men,
Great men with large hearts— hearts with a room for all.
Great men like Richard Scott Vormelker.
Adieu papa.
With love from the entire Omoniyi Family. ( Lilian sister) From Nigeria
I
Dad, I miss you so much. About one month before you passed away you posted on Facebook that you had the best son ever. You don’t realize how much that means to me. After so many years of never hearing these things from you, I now realize you loved me. I love you. I pray that I’ll see you again with Jesus and we’re flying together to meet Him in the air. But only God knows. You were a kind, giving man to those around you. You looked passed the faults of others showing the love of Jesus. Unfortunately that’s what took your life from your earthly vessel. You’re resting now, instead of suffering in your breathing. I wish I had the opportunity to at least see you one last time. The day you dropped Seth off here I had a notion, a feeling from the Holy Spirit, but didn’t recognize right away. I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to that. We all miss you, Gina, the boys, you’ve left a whole in our hearts. I love you. I miss you.
Dad, I miss you so much. About one month before you passed away you posted on Facebook that you had the best son ever. You don’t realize how much that means to me. After so many years of never hearing these things from you, I now realize you loved me. I love you. I pray that I’ll see you again with Jesus and we’re flying together to meet Him in the air. But only God knows. You were a kind, giving man to those around you. You looked passed the faults of others showing the love of Jesus. Unfortunately that’s what took your life from your earthly vessel. You’re resting now, instead of suffering in your breathing. I wish I had the opportunity to at least see you one last time. The day you dropped Seth off here I had a notion, a feeling from the Holy Spirit, but didn’t recognize right away. I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to that. We all miss you, Gina, the boys, you’ve left a whole in our hearts. I love you. I miss you.