Remember how he had a full story done on him in the Sports Illustrated back in 1989 for breaking the record of his age division for the 24 hour race?
Remember how in 1996 he joined in for the 50 state run, and Mom rode in the car along side him? He would run about 50 miles a day and they would both sleeping on high school gym floors at night?
Remember how he sat by our mom continually for over 4 years taking care of her every need when that horrible Alzheimer's set in ...when the rest of us couldn't console her, couldn't endure those long hours with her?
Well this Monday he will begin another hard battle. This one is for prostate cancer.
He will begin radiation, 5 days a week for 8 1/2 weeks.
His doctor said his prognosis is good. We just hate the thought of him going through this.
We love you Dad.
We are here for you. We will pray for you.
Below is an article that appeared in the Ensign about him in 1991. I found this on the internet today. I don't think I have ever seen it before.
“Portraits,” Ensign, Jan 1991, 70–71
Ultra-fit at Sixty
“Ultra-fit at Sixty,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 70
For some people, running a 26-mile marathon just isn’t enough of a challenge. Sixty-year-old Dick Rozier, a high priest in the Fresno Eighth Ward, Fresno California Stake, is such a man. Brother Rozier knows something about enduring to the end. “Enduring to the end,” in this case, means running for more than one hundred miles within a 24-hour period.
Brother Rozier, a veteran marathon runner with twelve Boston Marathons behind him, is a proven ultra-distance runner. Most races have a set distance over which runners try to make the best time. In this particular type of ultra-run, however, the contestants run as far as they can in twenty-four hours. On November 18 and 19, 1989, Dick set a U.S. record for endurance running in his age group when he won the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Race, covering 139 miles and 400 yards.
The record Dick Rozier broke was 134 miles and 194 yards, held by a Frenchman. The former American record was 131 miles, 440 yards.
“It was a weird experience,” says Brother Rozier of the record run. “I didn’t think I could do it, but I just kept going and going.” The run began at 8:00 a.m., and by midnight, sixteen hours into the event, he had covered one hundred miles. His only trouble came after nineteen hours into the event, when leg cramping forced him to take a ten-minute break for a massage. At twenty-three hours into the run, Dick broke the record and ran four more miles to complete the twenty-fourth hour.
A father of eight and a grandfather of fifteen, Brother Rozier is “in better shape than most of us,” declares his son Richard. “Mom and Dad are both great examples of endurance and determination.” Dick serves as the activities committee chairman for the Fresno Twenty-fourth (Laotian) Branch, where his wife, Gaynor, serves as Relief Society president.
[photo] Setting a new American record, sixty-year-old Dick Rozier ran 134 miles and 194 yards in twenty-four hours. (Photo by Photoworks.)
Dad and Susan last Christmas
15 comments:
Your dad is indeed quite an example to his children, grandchildren and so many others, including myself. He is such a delight to know. He will be in my prayers!
This is so nice Jill. It's a sweet tribute to your dad. I love it when I learn new things about him. You're a sweet daughter to do this for him. Love, Susan
This man is built of steel. I'm so sorry to hear this news. We will pray for him.
You know how much I love your dad. He is the most awesome man I know. I will remember him in my thoughts and prayers. Be tough Grandpa!!!
We're with you Dick and love you to pieces. We trust you'll do just fine. Just another lap to go.
-Den
I'm sorry to hear that Jill!!!! I can't even imagine myself feeling ready to deal with my dad struggling with his health or possible finishing up his days on earth. I will pray for him and you! Wish I could do more!
Wow, Jill, I didn't know any of this about your dad! What an impressive guy! I will be praying for him as well as for Susan and your entire family. In many ways, I think these things are tougher on the families than the "victims." I know your dad will weather this with courage and faith, and the Lord will bless you all.
Not only is my Uncle Dick impressive with all of his accomplishments, but he's still so darn good looking! He is definitely in my prayers, just another hurdle to jump.
He will certainly be in my prayers Jill.
He is an AMAZING & STRONG man! It is such a pain when health problems set in especially when someone like your dad has lead his life practicing good health habits and has built an incredible life aligning himself with HF & the Lord's plan.
Everyone will keep him in their prayers and on the Temple prayer rolls. The power of the ATONEMENT is a "gift" that will carry him through when no one else can be there for him. The Savior will be mindful of him & I know that while he passes through some difficult periods, he'll come through and he'll come through just like he's done his whole life. To the end; just like your blog says with the greatest of success.
I know several men who have had to pass through this also and they're all still alive and leading good lives. They tire easy, but they carry on and live on..
It's funny dad is just dad - but when I sit down and think about him - wow I'm impressed. What is the old saying, a prophet is without honor in his own country...
So true. A friend of mine said to me the other day "You had a really happy childhood didn't you?" I said "yeah, I did" and I might add that I grew up in a functional family too. What a blessing. Funny the thoughts that a blog will provoke. Thanks!
Robin
What a dad I have. I am so proud of him. My prayers are with you dad! Love always, Peg
I got the shirt as a gift but it is from Osh Kosh! I am sure you could find it online or something similar!!!
Thinking of you with many, many prayers for complete healing. You are awesome in your faith and family which will lead you to victory. God Bless You!!!
Found your blog while doing a Google search. Gaynor is distant family of mine (2nd cousin once removed) - her mother was a LeMaster. Would like to invite you to check out my genealogy blog where I'm working on the LeMaster and related families.
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