Rich Becheler has passed away RIP

Rich Becheler passed away this morning at age 50. I do not have many details but he has been having health problems the last few years. When I have details of the service I will post them. I will miss him, he was a very close friend. My prayers are with him and his family.

That's absurd. Rich can't die, he proved that many times on the sharp end.

He leaves behind so many friends and so many great memories. There's a lifetime of memories and stories from our roadtrip from DL to Arapiles. But that was one brief installment in a a very rich life.

Our thoughts go out to his daughter Heidi.

I'll buy some Hudy Gold (or nearest cheap swill equivalent) and hoist a club salute tonight to you Rich.
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Kevin. Wow! Worst news in a long time. Rich will be missed. He was too damn young to have passed away. He was a bold climber at one time and had a big personality that I think surpassed his climbing feats. I feel for you and the pain you must be feeling with this sudden loss. My condolences to Rich's family and loved ones and the great amount of friends I am sure will be missing him.

Wow. I don't have the words. RIP.

Rich was a true friend I'm so sad to see leave us. He will be missed greatly. The years we spent climbing, biking and skiing together leave me thankful to have known him. He was quiet but when he spoke it was worth listening to. While his candle burned bright I wish it could have burned longer. I hope we can go climbing with Heidi again in the future.

I cannot beleive this sad news. RICH PRUNES BECHLER was one of the best climbing partners I ever had, we motivated each other to pull down to the best of our abilities .Rich and I did some serious climbing at DL....and some serious fuk-nes clubbing.
Rich we will all miss you and remember you fondly for your climbing abilities{which always exceede mine} ,your excellant sense of humor ,and your extreme freindship.
My condolenses to his family and especially his daughter Heidi who visited us at our house in eldo.
f-nes now and forever. Steve Sangdahl
ps Please see pics of prunes in his prime at the route DLFA on mtn proj.

the Club will never be the same again. I'll always picture him as being forever in his 20's, crushing down at DL back in the 80's. He seemed indestructable when on quartzite. Condolences to all family and close friends.

Ever man dies but not all men have really lived! for Rich yes and yes....God speed my good friend and a club salute Oh price of fukness...many memories live on my good man.
Dave Groth

Club Salute indeed!
I've known Rich for a loooooong time and actually gave him the name PRUNES, albeit a little mixed up, i meant to say MUMBLES from Dick Tracy! But once i said prunes it was set in stone. I swear i couldn't understand half the shit he was saying sometimes he mumbled so much.

Club Salute my friend!

Rich -- didn't know you long. But I will remember few parties and our outing to the West Bluff. And I will sincerely miss you. Here's one to you. And here's another one to all you've climbed. Hats off to you ! RIP.

Sad news indeed. I have many fond memories of climbing and partying with Rich at The Lake.

Rich is a Devil's Lake legend. This truly terrible news. My condolences to Rich's friends and family.

I am saddened to hear of Rich's passing, as I posted on Super Topo I knew and hung out with him and Dave Groth when they were establishing some of Jackson Falls hardest routes. He asked me what I thought of the line that became "Emperor of the North" 5.13a. Many have enjoyed "Detox Mountain" 5.12a and rejoiced when they sent it. Still a proud line or "Wild at Heart","The Drifter", "Barbarians at the Gate" and others. My condolences to his family and friends, glad to have known him.

Rich will always be remembered as a Devils Lake pioneer, hardman and legend. I'm always amazed and inspired by lines that he put up and/or first lead. Any FA from Rich is most likely a classic and very hard, and is something that will inspire climbers for years to come.
RIP and Fukness!

Sad news to here of Rich's passing, Had good times with him, as teenagers, back in the Devil's Lake years. He was one of the Lakes most talented young climbers and very motivated to push his climbing boundaries, both physically and mentally, as he demonstrated with his leads on many of the Lake's marginally protected routes. My condolences to his family.

RIP Rich Becheler. My condolences to your family.

I feel blessed I had the opportunity to work with Rich and got to know him and hear his stories. He is a legend and his tales of debauchery will live on.

I too, will raise my glass.

Prunes, we’ll miss you brother.. there is more to be said for Rich’s accomplishments, his friendships, and contributions, and all who know him know what I mean. Inside the gruff exterior was his commitment to climbing, community, friends, and his daughter ….. he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed. I don’t think we can drink this away, but should surely raise a toast.

Well said Dale, he did have a heart of gold. How are you these days? You and Rich used to be inseparable. Peace Bro.

I am still in Madison WI, just rebuilt the frendship with Rich, true we are brothers, although sometimes estranged. When we get to hell I'm going to kick his A#$, noway he gets off this easy!