Rick Ward,
What a great man, I met Rick at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Missionary Training Center in September of 1975. He was in the group ahead of me going to Japan. We became friends quickly, as does everyone with Rick. We also became companions later in the Tokyo 2nd Ward in Kichijoji Japan. We worked hard and had fun. One week during companion planning we were setting goals. We had been companions for several weeks, had set and attained goals in many areas from Japanese study, to tracting hours. This week we wanted to add a couple of goals that we could easily attain. Rick suggested we make a goal not to smoke or drink for the entire week!!! (Yes, we made the goal!!) Rick is a lot of fun.
Rick told me a few stories about him translating Japanese/English for President Gordon B.Hinckley. After translating the first time President Hinckley often sought Rick out to translate for him. Rick said, President Hinckley would speak a lot of words in English that he did not know in Japanese, but, the Japanese word would "Just come to him" as he was translating.
After translating for President Hinckley several times Rick asked President Hinckley why he always asked for me to translate. President Hinckley said, "Because, you are the only translator that translates well enough for people to laugh at my jokes." Then Rick told me, translating from Japanese/English you can not translate jokes. The cultures are too different; I always had a couple of Japanese jokes I could tell when President Hinckley told a joke in English.
Rick and I were able to have lunch together several times after returning to the USA. Rick kept track of many of the missionaries in our mission and always had a fun story about everything. I value my friendship with Rick and look forward to greeting him again. I am sure it will be a wonderful reunion.
Brad Peay
