Thank you, Richard Allen Trask, for dedication and service

Recently, I had the distinct privilege to officiate the celebration of life service for Richard Allen Trask, who was 99 and some when he died.

As I listened to the stories shared by his son and daughter-in-law Rick and Kathi Trask, I was struck by the sheer tenacity and strength of will he had.

I cannot imagine all that he had to endure. Like many of us, I’ve read about the Bataan Death March. It is one thing to read about it; it is quite another to live it and survive it. And that is what Richard did.

One of the most powerful stories I believe I’ve heard in my lifetime is that of Richard’s experience with prayer, and his own spiritual encounter. As the men walked on the trail — 65 miles with little to no food or water — they had to keep going or face torture or death. If a man stumbled or couldn’t continue the walk, he was killed. While on the march, several men were pulled from the ranks, and Richard never saw them again.

He feared for his life. At one point, the captors allowed the men to have a brief rest. It was night time, and Richard laid down on a patch of grass and prayed to die, because he didn’t think he could stand any more of the torture or pain. He asked God to take his life that night.

He drifted to sleep, and the next thing he knew it was morning, he could feel the sun warming his face. He could hear the birds chirping in the trees as the sun rose. He said it was so beautiful. Then he heard a voice that said to him, “With your faith, you will survive.” And he fell back asleep.

Richard said the whole encounter happened in just a few seconds. But as he was waking up again, the GI next to him did not; his friend had died in his sleep.

Richard had another angel encounter. When the men would get any type of food, it was generally a fibrous, grainy rice. Most would eat it, and then regurgitated it right back up. From the middle of the men, came an English medical doctor who told Richard that he had to take a spoon of rice and chew it, chew it, chew it, and when he thought he was done chewing it, chew it some more. And then swallow and take the next spoon of rice. Richard stopped throwing up the meager supply of rice that he got; his body was able to take in some nutrients, and he continued the march.

That strength of will, and his steadfast faith, kept him going while he was held captive in a Japanese prison camp.

While imprisoned, Richard developed an abscess in a molar. As the story goes, an “almost dentist” took a look and “doctored” him the best way he could; remember, the war had started and the men left their jobs and schools, without having finished their education. Two men held Richard, and the “almost dentist” pulled out the abscessed tooth. The infection was contained in the root of the tooth, and Richard was able to continue.

While earthly circumstances continued to attack his body, his spirit and faith remained strong. Again, he was steadfast in his faith.

As I listened to the stories, dumbfounded, I tried to process not just what I’d heard, but what the experience must have been like for him. He could have just given up — let go — at any point. But he didn’t. He claimed that statement he’d heard early on — with your faith, you will survive — and he did just that.

Richard Allen Trask was a survivor. He survived the Bataan Death March, and spent more than three years in a Japanese prison camp. After World War II was over, he returned and married the love of his life, Sophie (Babe) Marie Hendricks on Jan. 5, 1947. And the children soon followed — Rick, Pam, and then Jeff. Richard was close to his brother Wesley Trask and his sisters Helen Temperly and Anna Gaull. He built a life with the family he so loved.

There are countless stories of camping adventures, horse racing trips and time in the casinos. He had an assortment of big fish tales to share.

It was my absolute honor and privilege to meet him, much less spend any amount of time with him. He was funny and feisty, and cut me no slack whatsoever. I gave it back to him just like I got it; his laugh filled a room.

I can’t imagine all of the firsts he witnessed and experienced in his lifetime. Just shy of 100 years on Earth, he himself was a walking piece of history. He was also a living breathing tribute to the strength of the human spirit, and a witness to a deep abiding faith in God.

Godspeed, Richard Allen Trask. On behalf of a grateful nation, we thank you for your selfless and dedicated service.

Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at:

[email protected]