Tributes
Gemma Hosford
"When you love someone who struggles with mental health and addiction, you start to build walls and maybe even tell yourself things that may help prepare you if they don't make it out safely. But, I can promise that no amount of time spent worrying will help if you fully loose them.
Today would have been Rhys' 30th birthday, but he left this world just over two weeks ago. I don't think there are many words I can say... my heart is shattered. I won't forget that it was his mind that had been suffering and ended up taking his body down with it. But, I will always remember and be missing Rhys for the essence of who he was inside of his heart. He was passionate, honest, kind, and hilarious. He always wanted to have fun .. he had the confidence to speak to anyone, to play music in front of a large crowd, and to have empathy and compassion for those often forgotten." Click here to read more..
Hannah Clark
"Rhys was devoted, accomplished, way too smart, open, totally hilarious, passionate, and loved his family and friends fiercely. These past few years he was also very sick, was really struggling, and tried so very hard to hold onto just… everything.
A week ago, we lost my little brother to mental health and substance abuse.
Losing him doesn’t feel real, and I doubt it ever will, but Rhys always believed that energy was never finite. That energy is never lost, but rather it transforms into another form." Click here to read more..
Christian Harnisch
"Rhys Clark was my best friend. He was the best friend I'll ever have, and the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Really, he was more like a brother. The two of us were inseparable from the day we first met in second grade until the day we graduated high school. We were neighbors, classmates, teammates, bandmates.. we did everything together. I'm not one to make posts like this, but for Rhys it feels appropriate.
I want Rhys to be remembered for who he truly was. He was the most fun person ever, I still laugh to this day about the things he used to say or jokes he would make. There was never a dull moment with Rhys and that is what I loved most about him." Click here to read more..
Mira Clark - April 7, 2022
Rhys, my cousin. I often sit at my desk and play your music. I remember a precocious, brilliant, kind boy, so clever and funny. Sitting at your table in NJ, when you were studying for a spelling test, and just crushing it. Maybe you were twelve? Not even. I wish so much Rhys, that you were here for one more try at sobriety. I'm grateful for your music, it keeps your spirit here, and is something I can share with my kids so your presence stays with us. Big love, always.
Larisa Schuckle - May 5, 2022
Thank you for making this incredible website and creating an opportunity to learn more about Rhys. I feel so lucky to have known him and to have experienced lots of sunny and silly summers in his company.
When I heard about his passing last year I went back through journals I kept during sailing camp summers and there were so many instances of him being the leader of countless thrilling and ridiculous adventures- scaling a tree in a trapeze harness, letting all the kids tie him up, flipping boats, finding something to turn into a water skiing contraption, sword fighting, or starting a motor boat race. He was always hurling himself into the water, always playing music, always somehow upside down and constantly encouraging everyone to be in the moment and enjoy being alive.
I also remember so many instances of him speaking gently when someone was nervous, comfortingly making everyone laugh in chaos, being generous with his beautiful energy when someone needed cheering up and thoughtfully sharing his magical beliefs about existence between escapades. I remember how the children we worked with would watch Rhys, waiting to see what would come next and how they gravitated towards him as a source of both assurance and fun. It always felt exciting to know that Rhys was going to be a part of something because of his magnetic energy and contagious excitement and sweetness.
I hadn't seen Rhys in a long time but I remember him as completely hilarious, always ready to play and ready to laugh and effortlessly able to live in the present moment. His kindness encouraged everyone to inhabit the here and now with him, giving people around him experiences so much richer and sweeter than they would have been had he not been there. It feels really fitting to associate Rhys with the summer time because he was so in bloom with creative energy, so bright, warm and delightful.
It’s extra surreal to think of someone this vibrant being gone from this world but I agree that his energy has just transformed into something new and believe that he met whatever adventure came next with enthusiasm and love. I will always treasure the memories I have of him that now feel too good to be true and be grateful for how much brighter, sweeter and more exciting he made so many days for so many people while he was here.
Have a memory of Rhys?
