Richard Vance Welty

Richard was like a guide, mentor, friend and at times like a father. I feel fortunate that I started my career under him and have worked closely with him. There are many memories from the last 12 years I have known him. When I joined Raintree, I didn’t know many people in Temecula. Lorraine and Richard didn’t let me feel that I am away from my family. Richard always invited me to his place for movie nights, dinners, Thanksgiving with his family at Steve's place or whatever fun he is doing on weekends. I am very grateful for all the time I was able to spend with him and Welty family. One of the incidents during my very early days at Temecula office when I learned how down to earth and helpful he is, I was walking out of office on Friday evening I noticed my car had a flat tire, at that time I didn’t know how to change a spare tire, not only he helped change the tire but also offered to show me how to fix puncture of the tire if I come next day at his home. I was already feeling grateful and also guilty at the same time of using help from a CEO, coming from India I have never imagined this as I never saw anyone changing their car tires on their own and here a company's CEO was helping me with a flat tire. Richard was always very encouraging to everyone to try and learn new things, he introduced me to dirt biking, quads, racquetball and racquetball became my favorite sport. Richard, Steve and I used to play a lot after work and had a lot of fun, good exercise and healthy competition. Richard had deep knowledge about a lot of topics, I will miss having conversations with him about different topics, our work calls talking in-depth about new work ideas and features. I will miss his views and opinions on any given problem. I have learned a lot from him and his leadership skills. Richard will always be alive in my heart.