Netwest Has Lost a Loyal and Active Member

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Judy, wife of Richard Speir Argo II, age 66, CWO 3, Coast Guard, Retired, who died July 8, 2010, at home in Murphy,NC of cancer. Richard was a long-time member of Netwest.

Born February 21, 1944, in Tampa FL, the first of two children, to Richard and Ann Argo, he was a gifted athlete and a man of many talents.

Richard joined the Coast Guard in 1962, after high school graduation. His career spanned over twenty years with duty stations up and down the East coast and Gulf region, and Marcus Island. He was trained as a boatswain mate, then rose through the ranks to captain his own ship, The US Coast Guard Cutter Kennebec. He retired in 1983, then attained a BA degree at Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA.

He and his wife, Judy, moved back East, where Richard enjoyed time as a white water raft guide on the Ocoee and Nantahala rivers. In 1994, Richard and Judy hand-built a cord wood house in the Hanging Dog Community in Cherokee County.

A man who believed in keeping fit, Richard entered the sports events in the Senior Games. He cross trained in biking, swimming, tennis, jogging, and kayaking. He won medals in swimming and tennis. On the grueling 700 mile North Carolina Bike Tour, From Murphy to Manteo, Richard rode his 12 speed Huffy amongst the high speed racing bikes of others. Because he had ridden and trained for hours on the mountain roads, he pedaled right past some of those fancy bikes going across Chunky Gal Mountain and beyond.



Richard was an active member of NC Writers Network West. He taught writing locally, read publicly and for many years led The NCWN West Prose Critique group until he had to resign due to his illness. He won awards for his literary work in the Senior Games, published short stories in Moonshine Review, Lights in the Mountains, and the new anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge. Although his poetry was not as well-known as his short stories and essays, an award winning poem was published here on the Netwest Writers site.

Richard loved telling stories. He loved old jokes, making people smile, and all kinds of music. He quietly showed his compassion for others. His passion for environmental concerns revealed a caring for his fellow man, particularly in the sustainable house he built.

He was cremated, and asked that his ashes be scattered on the Outer Banks of NC. Richard did not want a memorial service, but requested that his family and friends plant a tree in his memory.

Richard’s essence seemed captured in the following poem sent by his friend Mary Ricketson during his illness:

I’m calling good vibes
speaking to the trees
asking the sun
and all the earth
to hold my friend close
impart faith and courage
while time is uncertain
to lend wisdom
when time comes
to chart a course.

(Most of this post comes from the obituary for Richard written by Mary Ricketson)


Read Richard's essay on critique .

Our members who wish to send condolences to Judy Argo will find Richard's address on our membership list. If you need further information, please contact glendabeall@msn.com .

NCWN West Monthly Prose Workshop Will Meet Again May 11th With New Leader

(photo Peg Russell and Richard Argo

NCWN West Prose Group)

Dear Fellow members,

This is a message for writers who meet in the NCWN West monthly prose group at Tri County Community College. The group will not meet this month (tomorrow night) but will meet for sure May 11, 2010, 7:00 with your new workshop leader Peg Russell of Murphy. Peg Russell is a long time Netwest member and has been active in this monthly prose writing workshop for years. She has agreed to be the workshop leader since Richard Argo is now unable to do so. We will try to get more information if you need it. Your comments are welcome. Questions too.

If you have specific interests in joining this prose writing group, you need only to be a member of NCWN and live within the Netwest area. There is no extra fee. For about seventeen years now they have been saying, "Netwest members within driving distance are welcome" and also, "Observers are welcome."