IN MEMORIAM





If Tears Could Build A Stairway ...


If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye."
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more.
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.

~Author Unknown~


Richard O. Gerber
Aug. 31, 1948 to Mar. 19, 2012



Rich was born and raised in Kenosha, WI.  On June 10, 1995 he married Gloria Yeager. He had 2 children, Kristina Vines of Racine and Korin Gerber of Pleasant Prairie.

Rich was a happy hearted guy. He was always telling jokes and making people smile or laugh, a trait that endeared him to everyone he knew. He was also an animal-lover who opened his home to many in his years on this earth. He mostly had Collies along with a few other pets. Rich particularly loved the Collie breed and had Whiskey for 14 years and Santini for several more.  He also owned a Shiba Inu named Churchill who died of lymphoma in 2003.

When Churchill crossed the Rainbow Bridge, the quest began for Holly, a Collie whose picture he had seen on a bulletin board at Walmart.  Holly was reportedly in a shelter in Racine, but when he called the shelter he was told she had been sent to a Collie rescue although they could not recall the rescue's name.  He was surprised that someone would give up a Collie!  Holly was eventually located at the WI Collie Rescue, a group which ceased operations in 2004.  As Holly needed a companion, Jake (FKA Shane) was adopted from MWCR in April of 2004.  In December 2009 Holly passed away and Maisie was adopted from MWCR in September 2010.  

Rich loved what the rescue does for the Collie breed and realized that a lot of work and money goes into the safety and care of the dogs.  He requested that donations be made to MWCR when he died.  His fur babies will miss him as well as his human kids and wife Gloria, who plans to continue doing as much for the rescue as she can. 



Shayna Leia Fineman
Sept. 1, 1951 to Sept. 23, 2008



Shayna Leia Fineman, MWCR member and foster caregiver, died on September 23, 2008, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shayna became a member of MWCR early in the summer of 2008, and although she was with us for only a short time she left indelible memories. Shayna loved Collies, having had five wonderful Collies over the years. Her Collies were known as the Finedawg Family.

Shayna made beautiful jewelry, some of which she donated to MWCR to use as fundraisers for the Collies. She also left a small monetary bequest to MWCR.