Richard Allen Monroe succumbed to Lewy Body Dementia on January 25, 2020, with his two daughters by his side.

To run a marathon, one needs dedication, focus, strength, and courage. It is no surprise that Richard was an avid marathoner and ultra-marathoner... he had all of those qualities and more.

He was dedicated. As a doting father to Atera Niko and Laurel Enoch, he wrote poetry on their lunch bags each day; as a smitten grandfather to Mady, Patrick, Christopher, and Cole, he was ready to babysit at the drop of a dime; he was also a loving son, a sweet brother to Debbie Schwanke and Mike Monroe, a fun uncle, and a loyal friend to many (namely, Paula Davidson, Chris Boston, Susan McFadden, and Gus Wachter).

He was focused. He was a juvenile probation officer that took his job home with him. His daughters remember dinner with the "delinquents," where he would try to inspire the teens to do better. He worked tirelessly on his artwork (sculpture, painting, drawing, calligraphy, you name it), and his talent left people speechless. Even when his dementia got the best of him, he would draw on imaginary canvases, creating masterpieces in his mind.

He was strong. He spent his life as an activist for civil rights, fighting for peace, and caring for the hungry. He was an animal lover, having the inner fortitude to give up meat at a very young age. He was so powerful in his convictions and desire to be kind to everyone. Growing up in Minneapolis gave him the hardiness to endure bitter winters. He loved the cold and the snow (he was always ready to break out the snowshoes).

He was courageous. He lived life as the unique person that he was. He never conformed to any norms. And suffering the treacherous disease that ravaged his mind took a lot of courage. Lewy Body Dementia cruelly has elements similar to Alzheimers, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Richard's devoted son-in-law Matthew Enoch called it "the 'Meth' of dementias." What a brave soul to endure that for so long.

This accomplished runner will be missed, although his loved ones will carry memories of his humor, kindness, stubbornness, intelligence, and love. He joins his mother and father, his nephew Brian Schwanke, his brother Mike, and buddies Tyrone Ryland and Ken Davidson in heaven. To honor him, his daughters will host a fundraiser in February to benefit the LewyBody Dementia Association. Date will be announced soon. You can also donate directly to the association by visiting www.lbda.org/donate.