News From JFK Lancer
| April 26, 2010
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Greetings!
Martin Luther King once said,"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Witness to the events on the weekend of November 22nd, 1963 are a unique group. I've met those from Dealey Plaza, Parkland Hospital, Dallas Jail, and all along the motorcade route. I have heard most of their stories and feel grateful to have had the experiences second hand because it is apparent the emotional trauma and strong feelings are still with them today.
I first met Aubrey and Glenda Rike at "Project JFK", an annual gathering for High School students in which JFK Lancer participates. (Project JFK is now two groups one led by Mark Taylor, the other by Casey Quinlan and Brian Edwards.) Over the years Aubrey would attend both "November in Dallas" and "Project JFK" sharing his time and his experiences with the groups. He would always be available for questions, photos, autographs and with his time. I know of no one that hasn't come away from speaking with Aubrey who didn't hear the truth in his voice.
Aubrey was a "man's man" with a gentle soul, one that gave our First Lady comfort as she spent her final moments with her husband at Parkland Hospital that dark day long ago. Aubrey was the one that helped Mrs. Kennedy put her ring on President Kennedy's finger, as she was determined to do. He was the perfect person -- that I believe God choose -- to be there for her, and with his strength, both inner and in his body, he lifted the President's body into the casket. Anyone else could not have performed these acts with such grace.
It has been my honor to know him, work with him, and to have published his autobiography, "At The Door Of Memory; Aubrey Rike, A Witness To History and the Assassination of President Kennedy". His wife Glenda, Sherry Fiester, and Colin McSween will long remember our time with him working on his book. We will all miss him terribly.
It has also been a great pleasure to become friends with Aubrey's wife Glenda.
President Kennedy said, "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." Please keep Aubrey and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Debra Conway
JFK Lancer Productions & Publications |
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AUBREY RIKE 1937 - 2010
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Aubrey "Al" Rike  |
Al Rike, age 72, of Plano, Texas passed away April 22, 2010. He was born December 18, 1937 in Dallas, Texas to Argus and Lois (Longley) Rike. Al received his associate's degree in law enforcement from Abilene Christian College in Dallas. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, actively from 1955- 1959, and as a reservist for the following four years. Al married Glenda Spears on August 27, 1960, in Dallas. He retired from the Highland Park Police Department as a Detective Sergeant after 26 years of service. Al worked from 1994-2002 for the Dallas County Sheriffs Department. Al is survived by his wife, Glenda Rike of Plano, Texas; son, Larry Rike of Plano, Texas; sister, Carolyn Hawkins and husband James of McKinney, Texas; sister-in-laws, Violet Taylor, Ruthie Keenum, Jarlene Graham, and Janet Spears; brother-in-law, J.T. Spears; numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, James Young, Bill Rike, and Richard Rike.
FUNERAL INFORMATION:
Go HERE for the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Memorial Page for Aubrey. You can share your thoughts with his family there.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home beginning at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday April 29, 2010 in the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel with the Rev. Ron Hathcoat officiating.Beverly Oliver Massegee will be the featured vocalist.
Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas at approximately 3:30 P.M..
Friends and Family are invited to gather at El Fenix Restaurant after the Thursday Interment Services.
1601 McKinney
Dallas, TX 75202
Get Directions
PHONE (214) 747-1121 |
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COLIN MCSWEEN
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Colin with Aubrey and Glenda  | I met Aubrey Rike in downtown Dallas, Texas 19 years
ago. He was standing in the 100 block of North Houston Street where he and his
ambulance assistant Dennis 'Peanuts' McGuire had collected an apparent
epileptic seizure patient at 12:22 noon on Friday November 22, 1963.
As we visited there were no special airs about him.
There was no pomposity, arrogance or prideful attitude about him as one might
expect of someone who had provided the sort of personal care that he had to both
the deceased President Kennedy and the newly widowed Mrs. Kennedy. Can any one
of us imagine what that day and those moments must have been like for Aubrey or
how it might have affected any one of us given the same set of circumstances?
Although the events of the day had left Aubrey emotionally drained he kept
things in perspective.
He said he felt that we could talk somewhat freer
about many of the details as we'd both worked in funeral homes and had a handle
on events such as these. Although I have had extensive years in funeral
service I for one had certainly never been in a situation anywhere near close
to what Aubrey had been in with the Kennedy's. Our professional familiarity
developed over time as the subject of the assassination of President Kennedy
inevitably arouse between us whether we were visiting in Texas, Washington or
in Canada.
I will forever remember the honour he bestowed on me
when he asked me to write his manuscript. There were a few late nights sitting
alone with him with no more light than what the computer screen gave off and
his thoughts and memories would become rekindled and he was genuinely back 'in
the moment' recalling the events as they had unfolded that day in 1963.
His thoughts, emotions, the details were all running
together. He was moved by a genuine benevolence and a persistent concern for
the First Lady's well-being and for some privacy for her in her bereavement in
the midst what was a crowd that he felt was composed mostly of strangers to
her, many who for the most part had behaved rather badly. He was deeply
saddened that in this most tragic of losses that there didn't seem to be anyone
there for or with her.
Aubrey was painfully honest and self deprecating. He
often commented and felt that his story wasn't something that he felt merited
publicity or a book --- he didn't want to be 'blowing his horn'. But it was
pointed out to him by many that there were so many facets of his experience and
recollections that people needed to hear and to know. This fact was reinforced
many times both in and far from my presence when audience members approached
him to shake his hand and thank him for what he'd done for Mrs. Kennedy. As he
mused one night, "I guess it's like a funeral...everyone wants to know how
things went, what was done, even if it doesn't change things after all. Some
people have got to know I guess."
Aubrey's concern was President Kennedy's dignity and
Mrs. Kennedy's privacy in her grief, but he also came to understand that people
might appreciate knowing someone was there providing service wherever possible
- that someone had done what could be done hoping those actions might make
things a bit better or more tolerable for the First Lady.
The telling of the details of those hours and minutes
at Parkland Hospital never ceased to bring a fresh flow of tears to the eyes
and emotion to the voice of Aubrey Rike. The attention and care that he
provided to the body of President Kennedy, and the assistances for Jacqueline
Kennedy were performed with consideration, tact, gentleness and dignity. He
did what anyone of us may have wanted to do had we been there, but he did it
better than anyone that I've known in 30 years in funeral service - he did it
with his own personal kindness and of one of the gentlest hearts that it has
been my/our good pleasure to know. That heart is now at rest.
We may well never see the likes of Aubrey Rike again.
Yet we long for his presence among us. To see, touch him again, to have him
back and to hear his voice again. We are bereft of his presence his attitude
and conviction of purpose, his work ethic and that bereavement has brought us a
profound grief.
It has been said that "GRIEF IS THE EMOTIONAL PRICE
YOU PAY FOR HAVING KNOWN AND CARED FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS DEPARTED THIS LIFE AHEAD
OF YOU."
For ourselves we need to grieve and to grieve well,
not for Aubrey but in order to recover emotionally from the loss as time goes
on and to move on so that we may continue to serve.
May our prayer go out now and through the weeks and
months ahead for his family: Glenda, Larry and to Aubrey's extended family.
Sincerely,
Colin McSween
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SHERRY FIESTER
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Aubrey with Sherry Fiester in Dealey Plaza 2008  | Aubrey Rike was a quiet man whose
capacity for
serving others was as
deep as the ocean. That generous nature and love of mankind was
displayed throughout his life and reflected in his choices to serve in
the military, work responding to emergency situations by driving an
ambulance, and his employment in law enforcement. Aubrey was principled
man with a courageous nature, evidenced by his interaction with Jackie
Kennedy. He was profoundly affected by that encounter and many of us
have witnessed his tears as he relived that day - a testament to his
loving heart.
But,
the time spent at Parkland Hospital on that
day was not the most important time in his life, nor did it define his
existence. Spending any time with Aubrey would immediately reveal how he
treasured his family. He often said Glenda was the rock of his life and
she helped make him the person he was. The love he felt for her and his
son was easily seen in his eyes and often reflected in his
conversation.
We
meet many people in our lives; some leave a
lasting impression to the degree that knowing them enriches and changes
your life forever. Aubrey was that kind of person for me. He was a
funny, intelligent, complicated and honorable man. I was blessed to have
spent time with him working on his book. I shall miss him.
Sherry Fiester
Note: Sherry was the Editor for Aubrey's book.
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DAVID LIFTON
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Aubrey Rike with David Lifton  | I would like to express my personal condolences at the passing of Aubrey
Rike. Sometimes very ordinary people play an extraordinary role in
history, and that is true in Aubrey's case.
No one knows that
more than Aubrey's lovely wife Glenda, to whom I also address this
message.
Aubrey bore witness to some very important facts, and
did history a great service by speaking the truth, and then never
changing his story.
I first interviewed Aubrey---by telephone-in
March, 1980. From that very first telephone interview, I could sense
the kind of straightforward, honest, level-headed fellow he was. Then,
because of what he said during our telephone interview, I met him in
October, 1980, for an on-camera interview, just a few months prior to
the publication of BEST EVIDENCE. And on that footage, recorded for the
first time, was Aubrey delivering a very emotional account of what it
was like to place President Kennedy's body into the Dallas coffin.
Aubrey
Rike was a major lynchpin for presenting my research-to the public---that
President Kennedy left Dallas wrapped in sheets, and inside a
ceremonial coffin, yet arrived at Bethesda Naval Hospital in a body bag,
inside a shipping casket.
What I admired most about Aubrey Rike
was that he was honest, candid, had a wonderful impish sense of humor,
and-most important to me as an investigator and historian---that he did
not change his story.
We humans have fallible memories. I loved
the fact that Aubrey never embellished. His recollections were like
the Rock of Gibraltar.
I ran into Aubrey in the years following
the assassination a number of times-and he never changed. He was always
willing to explain to future generations what he had seen and done that
day. And his basic clear headed honesty always shone through.
David Lifton  | Clear,
the Muse of history, would be proud.
May his soul rest in peace.
David
S. Lifton
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JERRY DEALEY
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Jerry Dealey  | Just this morning I heard from Beverly Oliver that our old friend Aubrey
Rike passed away at 5:30 PM, yesterday, April 22. Aubrey had a recent
illness with blood clots in his leg, causing amputation, followed by
more radical amputation. He had spent several weeks in the hospital.
Aubrey
was the ambulance driver who picked up the reported seizure victim on
Houston St., at 12:15 PM on November 22, 1963. He was therefore already
in the Emergency area of Parkland Hospital, when the President and
Governor were brought in. He remained with Jackie Kennedy and others,
and was one of the attendants who would place John Kennedy in the
coffin. He was also very involved in the shoving match that ensued
between the local and Federal officials, about the removal of the body
and legally required Texas autopsy.
Aubrey has attended the
November in Dallas conferences a number of times, and it took us years
to talk Aubrey into getting this story on paper. He worked with Colin
McSween, and wrote "At the Door of Memory", which is available from
JFK Lancer. I highly recommend the book, even for those not interested
in the assassination, as it reflects on the human side of Jackie Kennedy
and her experience here in Dallas. She told a Secret Service aide about
Aubrey, "You leave that man alone. He is the only person in Dallas who
has been nice to me."
Those of you who have heard Aubrey speak at
the NID conferences know what a caring and humble man he was. He could
not bring himself to speak about the JFK assassination for long before
he would choke up and be unable to continue. I often waited with a beer
in hand for him to get done speaking, as he needed it after a public
speech.
He was also a Dealey family friend, as in the early 70's,
when a member of the rich side of my family was kidnapped for ransom,
Aubrey was the Highland Park policeman who found and rescued her.
However, Aubrey being a humble man, would never allow inclusion of such
stories into the book (although we asked him to).
Aubrey is
survived by his wife Glenda, and a son, Larry. Please join me in keeping
his family in our prayers.
Aubrey, you will be missed. It will
be your turn to have a beer ready for me, my friend.
Jerry Dealey |
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RANDY OWEN
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Randy Owen with Aubrey and Glenda Rike  | Aubrey was kind enough to sit down with me for an interview on November
21, 2008. At times, it was very emotional, even after what may have been
his 1,000th time telling his story and even after the passage of
forty-five years. I could feel the emotion and nearly teared up a time
or two. Thanks, Al, for sharing your experiences! He is a humble man and
a master of understatement. At one point during our interview, he
summed up his participation in the events of November 22: "It was quite a
day."
When I first asked him if we could do the
interview in private, in my hotel room, away from any distractions, he
was a bit reluctant. But he consented. I don't think he knows how remarkable a person he really is.
Finally
meeting him was an honor. Interviewing him was a pleasantly memorable
experience in spite of the subject matter.
But there was one moment
I'll treasure. And it was just a moment. Aubrey and I share the bad
habit of smoking. He had finished his cigarette, I was still puffing on
mine. As he walked by me, heading back into the Adolphus, he briefly put
his hand on my shoulder. It's a sign of friendship, trust, respect,
maybe even kinship in some cases. It was a gesture on his part that is
so Aubrey: a simple, humble, brief, unsolicited moment which he probably
did on instinct, not giving a second thought to it. But to me, at that
moment, it meant the world.
My most sincere
condolences to Glenda and the rest of his family and friends. Thank you
so much for sharing him with us. And thank you, Al, for having the
courage to tell your story.
The story of the JFK assassination
lacks heroes. But, Aubrey Rike was one of the few who can genuinely be
called a hero. I shall miss him the rest of my days, but am thankful to
have met him.
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In closing I leave you all with a prayer by Beverly Oliver Massegee.
"Another precious friend and man of
history has now entered the Heavenly Portals and is sitting at the feet
of Jesus. Praise the Lord he has his leg back and he has no more pain.
Rest in Peace dear friend. You will be sorely missed. Peace and comfort
to his sweet wife, Glenda."
Sincerely,
Debra Conway
JFK Lancer Productions & Publications
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