(Memorial Letter read at Dick’s Funeral Luncheon by Mike Nelson, MN DARE Treasurer and written by Kathi Ackerman, Executive Director)
Dear Family and Friends of Dick Tessier:
I am sorry I cannot read this letter myself but this is way too emotional for me. When I had to give emotional talks over the years, I always asked Dick to read them for me. Today, I know that Dick would love that Mike Nelson is reading this instead as they were always partners in crime in harassing me.
A little over 20 years ago, I came to Minnesota with my (3) young sons. I didn’t know anyone here but I took a job with Minnesota D.A.R.E. I was fortunate to be met with an outstanding board of directors and some wonderful officers. I was introduced to a very active board member, Dick Tessier, and we became immediate friends. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for people to ask if we were married because of the way we teased each other and we were always together. Dick was my best friend, my brother, and the reason I stayed with D.A.R.E. for 20 years in good times and bad. He picked me up when I cried; listened when I was angry; and we laughed…we laughed a lot. When I got excited and said, “I have an idea.” He would always say, “Oh no! What do I have to do now?” He was always willing to go along with my ideas…good or bad.
Dick was passionate about the children D.A.R.E. served. He cried at graduations, served officers on boat cruises, hauled tons of product to events, cooked thousands and thousands of hot dogs in the snow at Twins games, entertained many at the putting green; dealt cards at galas; and put together a relationship with SUPERVALU which kept D.A.R.E. alive and well in Minnesota.
We all have so many memories with Dick. How about the kissing booth with Carl Jorgensen at the annual dinner in Oakdale? They sold a lot of kisses. Or when I made him and others move the D.A.R.E. office, in the snow, on Super Bowl Sunday? I only had to promise them pizza and beer. How about all of the river cruises like when Dick cooked the chicken all afternoon (he claimed it was in 100 degree temperatures) so we could serve the D.A.R.E. officers and Carl wore a grass skirt and coconuts to entertain us? And so, so many Twins games where we were exhausted after serving thousands of hot dogs, with pop in our shoes and ketchup on our shirts; we would sit down and say “that was so much fun.” It was just a regular day at D.A.R.E. when Mike Nelson and Dick would make bets at board meetings at how long it would take me to roll my eyes at a board member (not to mention names) who rambled on and on? What about when Dick and I brought all of that Spam to a special officer’s retirement party? While I had my office in SUPERVALU, I could hear in my office, whenever he was in the 300 Bldg. He stopped and said “Hi” to everyone in his “not so quiet” voice. He and I cried when we delivered toys to flood victims in southeast Minnesota and the people in Rushford wanted share their food with us. Again we were moved when we took food up to Hugo where a tornado devastated many homes.
Dick lived for the day he would be able to retire and help out by running Northern D.A.R.E. Unfortunately, he was not able to see that wish through. For the last year, he continued to apologize to me for not being to help out. I constantly told him that he was still helping me; I talked to him and visited with him as much as possible. He was still picking me up and pushing me forward; and we still laughed.
My heart is now breaking but I know it is my job to figure out how to keep his legacy going. I know that Dick is still looking over us and will continue to guide us from above. We will join together and try to fulfill his dream.
Dick, you finished it well. It is said that, “A life well lived casts a shadow sure to impact generations.” You touched our hearts and many, many lives.
Dick, you are loved and will be missed.
Kathi Ackerman
Executive Director
Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc.
Mailing Address: PO Box 279 •St. Bonifacius, MN 55375
Contact Number: 800-990-DARE (3273)