Wednesday, September 6, 2017

One more Rick Veach story

One more story about Rick, which I just thought of:

Several years ago we ordered a new under-the-cabinet range hood to replace the one that came with our house. Rick was working in one of our bathrooms when two young men delivered the new hood. After removing the old hood, they discovered that the new hood was ⅛" longer than the space cut beneath our cabinet. The standard measurement for range hoods had apparently changed in fifty-something years. These guys did not, as they told Rick, do carpentry. Rick told them that he would install the hood for us.

Which he did. He also did the duct work to hook the hood up properly, something that had never been done. End of story.

comments: 7

The Crow said...

With these stories, you have painted a perfect picture of a great tradesman (a title of honor and distinction where I'm from) and a beautiful friendship. You lucky duck, you! I'm sorry Rick is gone from your life, glad he lives on in memory and in your heart.

Michael Leddy said...

As we told Rick’s wife, we think of him every time we see his work, which is everywhere in our house.

Fresca said...

That guy was gold; what a loss.

(A couple years ago a plumber told my landowners that he'd have to break down a tile wall to fix my leaking shower.
This summer a different plumber came for something unrelated--saw the leaking shower and put in a new washer. Problem solved.)

Michael Leddy said...

I can imagine what Rick would have said about that leak, and I’ll try to suggest his tone of voice: “It’s really not that complicated.”

Fresca said...

Ha. Yes.
R.i.p., Rick.

Elaine said...

Isn't it amazing what atrocities are uncovered in the process of remodeling?

Michael Leddy said...

Ain’t it the truth? Especially when the work is what my dad used the call “a homeowner’s special” — an incompetent householder’s effort to fix something.