Seeing him buzz down the street, you'd think, "there goes a man in one fast wheelchair." Richard loved the freedom mobility gave him to engage in life. He didn't allow cerebral palsy to define him, but it did shape his life in important ways.
Richard's childhood was divided between his hometown area of Luverne and Minneapolis. His parents were Eva and Louis Davis, who ran the Davis CafŽ in Luverne for many years. During the school year he attended Michael Dowling School for Crippled Children (its name at the time). Though this was a painful separation, Richard's parents knew he needed to be prepared to live independently some day. A progressive concept in that era. Each trip to Minneapolis meant a tearful goodbye. Each homecoming excitement, reunion and catching up.
In Minneapolis, Richard stayed with foster families. Some not so good. The Denleys were the best. They were like a family to him. Their kids like his siblings. Richard stayed with them for seven years until he returned home for high school.
Living at home all year, every year during high school made for the most normal life Richard had known to that point. Classmates gladly carried him up and down stairs around school (down-home style accessibility). Everyone loved having Richard home so much. When they were supposed to be out for a drive on country roads, Richard and his sister, Bette, would sneak into town without their folks knowing it Ñ get treats and hang around. Richard took every chance he got to engage in a secret passion Ñ driving stuff. His aunt, Jessie Roberts (Mrs. Neil Roberts), and others would let him drive their cars. HeÕd drive the tractor in the cornfields and ride the horse around the family farm thanks to various partners in crime. When he graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1954, however, you couldnÕt keep the boy down on the farm.
As a young adult, Richard returned to Minneapolis and began a journey toward living independently. He lived as a boarder at first, then in various situations with roommates. Not unlike many other young people who move to the Cities. Young and strong then, he got around on crutches and used a push wheelchair as well, With his sister, Bette, who also lived in town, Richard had family close by and help with routine tasks like laundry. Richard and Bette were very close. They got together every week. Had Sunday dinners together. And went home for visits together.
Gradually, Richard lived more independently. He got his own apartment. And then, made a decision that would transform his life. He got his first electric wheelchair. He resisted this at first, knowing that he would eventually stop using crutches Ñ a skill he had struggled many years to develop. Richard used to joke that he had to quit using crutches because he got tired of breaking his nose every time he fell over. But, the mobility he gained with an electric wheelchair opened up the world to him.
Over the years, Richard lived a simple, yet full and rich life. He periodically attended the U of M mainly studying art. Since high school, he considered himself a mostly self-taught artist but always looked for ways to improve his painting and drawing skills. Richard educated himself in many other disciplines - philosophy, literature, music, religion and more. Richard loved his church - St. Mark's Ñ and would wheel there on Sunday unless the weather absolutely didn't permit.
Richard also developed a broad variety of close, long-time friendships. Sometimes he needed to rely on these friends to accomplish some small task. Ironically, though, there always ended up being an exchange. These friends came to rely on his perspective, counsel and his wry sense of humor. Richard was a thinker and a doer. He did the three things he most loved almost every day Ñ he read a broad variety of books, he listened to great music, and he would draw or paint.
Richard left with us precious pieces of himself through his artwork. He worked in a variety of styles. Always exploring. He painted clowns, portraits, and he especially loved nudes. At times his artwork, like his friendships and beliefs, seemed to have a contradictory nature - until you knew the whole Richard. He was idealistic, yet wise, Faithful, yet open-minded. Sometimes stubborn, yet always a gracious reliable friend. Art was important to Richard. Painting with a "rehabilitated hand," was a metaphor for the challenges he faced every day. It's safe to say, however, of all the art he did, his best work of art was his life.
