obituary

MICHAEL R. Age 37, died peacefully in his wife's arms on Sunday, December 14th at Kaiser Permanente, Riverside, after an 84-day struggle with pneumonia which caused A.R.D.S. Mike was born August 20, 1971 at Riverside General Hospital and lived in Riverside all his life. He was adopted at 9 months by Jerome and Sandra R. He graduated in 1989 from Poly High School. He worked for Temple Beth El for many years, was a DJ, with a lifetime love of music, and later worked for TeleTech in Burbank, then Gunderson Chevrolet in El Monte. He became a Microsoft Certified Professional, worked for Realty Executives, and started his own company, Inland Computers, but closed it to pursue his bachelor's degree. Mike was proud to be a returning student, "the old guy", in his classes at RCC. Mike and Barbara, the love of his life, were married on July 4th, 2003. They were blessed with a son, Joey, and a daughter, Julia. He was an affectionate, helpful, loving husband. He read to his children regularly, told them "I love you" every day, and never took them anywhere without his camera. In addition to Barbara, Joey (4) and Julia (2 1/2), he is survived by his grandfather "PopPop", Harry R of Encinitas; parents, Jerry and Sandy R of Riverside; brother, Aaron R of Murrieta; mother-in-law "Mom", Janet Chandler of Ontario; father-in-law, David Chandler of Strathmore; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, who will mourn this life-cut-short for years to come. They will remember his laughter, his wide smile, his sparkling dark eyes, his generosity and willingness to help, his enthusiasm for music and politics, his talkativeness, his love of life and his love for his family. Thank you to the medical staff who worked diligently to save Michael's precious life.