11.20.06
Ritscher Family Statement
Following is a Nov. 18, 2006 public statement from “the parents and siblings” of Malachi Ritscher (born Mark David Ritscher). The family emailed the statement to Jenn Diaz, who created IHeardYouMalachi.org on Nov. 13, and asked her to post it to the site. The family also asked readers, “Please note that we are respectfully not speaking for his son, Malachi, in this email.”
http://www.iheardyoumalachi.org/family.html
Family Statement
November 18, 2006
For those who are grieving and searching for meaning in the death of Malachi Ritscher, his family wants to try to bring our insights on the recent events. It seems inconceivable that time will heal this tragic event for us, but there is some comfort as our understanding and perspectives grow each day.
Several family members were in Chicago this last week. While we had regular contact with Malachi, the depth of his life and his passions have come alive for us. We have met and talked with many of his most amazing friends. We have read his journals. We have seen part of his life through the process of preparing his house for sale. We have found evidence of his search for meaning and for peace. We have heard and read wonderful stories of how Malachi impacted those he knew. We cherish knowing our son and brother better.
One can never know fully what is in another’s heart. Malachi had a large global view and felt passionately that bloodshed and war are antithetical to a good earth. Whatever the provocation of his last action, we know that Malachi was courageous and brave enough to act on his convictions.
As a family we are not aware of Malachi having a clinical diagnosis of mental illness. And we hesitate to attach Medical Doctor (MD) to our names by calling Malachi’s state of mind/being something which requires a medical assessment. However, it does seem apparent to us that some sort of depression was part of his life, at least occasionally, for a number of years. We know that he was an intellectually gifted man and we believe that he thought carefully and clearly about what was important in his life–how he spent his time, how he made life choices–and, ultimately, about what was to be his final act on this earth.
We feel Malachi left a roadmap on what he wanted done after his death and we are doing our best to follow through on the wishes of a thoughtful man. He named a family member as executor of his estate. A long-time friend was requested to have a prominent role in the dispersal of many of his important belongings. Malachi requested cremation (done) and interment at the Calvary Cemetery (pending). He requested a headstone with specific wording which we will honor. He requested no funeral (we will comply), although we cannot thank his friends and colleagues enough for the memorial concert last week. His place of work is also intending to hold a memorial service in the near future. He did not leave any specific instructions for memorials; however we know he was supportive of the National Lawyers Guild. A memorial fund has been set up. Very clearly his passions included peace activism, human rights, music, and other arts (literature, photography).
We wish we had Malachi physically back in our lives. There is a hole in our hearts that nothing will ever fill. We are taking it one day at a time.
Signed: The Parents and Siblings of Malachi (born Mark David) Ritscher
[Please note that we are respectfully not speaking for his son, Malachi, in this email. We are at different stages in the grieving process and are processing our own personal issues. Young Malachi, his wife, and children are an important part of our family.]
