This is a truly sad day. Rick, please reconsider. You know where to reach me. Your friend, Lucky 6.9 04:37, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

There is no reason to continue here, you say. Well, there's always the hope of creating a worthwhile encyclopedia. It's horribly difficult, and there'll always be a great number of trolls, braggarts, loudmouth ignoramuses and morons. Yes, an awful lot of time is spent on whack-a-mole. Moreover, normally OK people do sometimes misread the intentions and actions of other normally OK people, leading to even more exhausting arguments. But somehow WP manages to have an increasing number of articles that have a better ratio of (good) signal to noise than do the non-WP alternatives -- thanks to you and people like you. So take a break, and then welcome back whenever you feel like it. -- Hoary 04:57, 2005 Jun 21 (UTC)

Rick, please reconsider. I'll buy you a beer the next time I'm in the Bay Area if you do. Hell, I may buy you a beer just on general principle.

And if you need back-up, let me know -- I really don't have time these days to do serious editing/writing, but helping out like that doesn't take up a great deal of time. --Calton | Talk 04:59, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I know we've never spoken or worked together, but I always see you doing great patrolling and reverting work. Wiki needs you, please come back :-( Craigy File:Uk flag large.png (talk) 05:03, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

You've been a help to me. Illegitimus non carborundum! Fire Star 05:04, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Goodbye, Rick. I hope you'll find use for your immense passion and dedication elsewhere.--Eloquence* 06:29, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

I am so sorry this has happened, RickK. You're a good guy. You were the very first tireless RC patroler I ever saw in action when I first joined, my first impression of you is no different than it is today: you are a defender of knowledge against the barbarian hordes who would see it all destroyed. Please come back, when you are ready. func(talk) 06:38, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Goodbye RickK. I have not always agreed with you, but you have always acted for what you think is good for Wikipedia. One of the fundamental rights is the right to leave and so is the right to return. There is still a place for you in Wikipedia if you want it. Should you choose not to, then I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Sjakkalle (Check!) 07:05, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Rick, I too am very sorry to see you go. Your work here has made Wikipedia a far better place, even if you don't return. I hope (although it is unlikely) that my recent comments on WP:AN played no part in your decision. As I explained on the talk page, I unprotected the article so that another administrator could protect it, to avoid any appearance of administrative power abuse. Another administrator then protected it which was my desired action. I hope you do return, perhaps after taking a nice Wikivacation. If you do, I think you'll find that you don't have to fight your battles alone; others will be there to support you if you let them. — Knowledge Seeker দ 07:23, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Just to echo what everyone else has said above, you'll be missed and I hope you can return soon from your Wikibreak. jni 08:00, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I'm really sorry to see you leave like that. Please come back soon, we need people like you to stand fast against the hordes of trolls and the like. Radiant_>|< 08:22, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)