In Memoriam: Rich Noble

“Remember this — that very little is needed to make a happy life.”

Rich Noble lived by… “Remember this — that very little is needed to make a happy life.”

Rich Noble lived by this quote and displayed a positive attitude toward life in everything he did. Friends and family remember Rich for his easygoing, charismatic personality and willingness to help a friend in need.

“He taught others to enjoy life, take everything in stride, relax and to always, always, always be happy,” Emily Victor, a close friend of Rich’s, said.

Rich, 20, died on Nov. 17 from smoke inhalation injuries that he received during a fire that tore through his Louisa Street apartment building two weeks earlier. Rich was a graduate of Burgettstown High School and a junior computer science major at Pitt.

When Rich was around, it was impossible not to be happy and have a good time. Friends described him as a “big goof” who always made people laugh through his antics and jokes.

Rich was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and was active with their meetings and other activities.

Joe Perri, Rich’s pledge brother, said because Rich was always genuine in helping his friends, they always wanted to help him in return. Perri said his times with Rich were so memorable that he could not pick a favorite.

“When you were hanging out with Rich, there was no time better or worse,” he said. “It is truly an honor to call him my brother and not just friend.”

Mandi Noble, Rich’s older sister by five years, said that up until his college years, they fought like typical siblings. Rich was an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports and attended Pitt’s football games.

“I was the protective older sister,” she said, remembering times when she would call to check up on him.

To his family members, Noble was stubborn and hard-headed — a family trait.

After suffering a concussion during a high school football game, he was determined to play in the next game and even went to three doctors to receive clearance.

“The big thing was watching him at the games,” Mandi said, recalling her fondest memories of her brother and calling him “one of the best players” covering offensive line.

He made All Conference and All Media status in high school football.

Sarah Voye, a friend of Rich’s since first grade, rooted for “Number 62” as a cheerleader during their high school football games and was excited when they both made the decision to go to Pitt.

“I would call Rich when I was scared to walk down the street and he would walk me home wherever he was,” she said. “He’s been there for me for everything.”

His father said Rich would do anything for anyone.

One time, Rich carried Voye on his back from Brackenridge to Sutherland to make sure she didn’t hurt her already injured foot. She hurt her foot when Rich’s dancing to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” went awry.

“I offered to walk, and he was not having it,” she said, remembering how he carried her up the stairs of the Petersen Events Center at 2 a.m. in hot, muggy weather.

“He felt so bad, was so worried and called the next morning,” she said.

Derick Stalker met Noble their freshmen year when they became lab partners in a calculus class. He later became his fraternity brother when he pledged Pi Kappa Alpha.

Stalker described Noble as easygoing, friendly, carefree and selfless. He laughed at a time when Noble lost his room keys at a party and looked for them frantically. Noble promised, “I’ll replace everything,” in case anything was stolen from Stalker’s room.

“That showed Rich’s character,” Perri said.

When Rich wasn’t doing school work, hanging out with his friends, playing sports or working at Pitt’s Law Library, he was sleeping. Voye called it Rich’s “favorite sport.”

At his memorial service, his friends and family joked that Rich wanted an “11 a.m. to 5 p.m.” job. Rich was good at taking jokes as well.

“He was really good at laughing things off,” Voye said.

Rich was ambitious and loved being independent. When his father e-mailed a picture of Rich’s soon-to-be first car, a ’96 Pontiac Grand Am, he made it his computer screen saver and bought a stereo for it that his father said was probably worth more than the car.

Rich loved the beach and enjoyed going on vacation with his family to Ocean City, Md. He also loved his dog, a miniature schnauzer named Loxly.

He was great at cooking, especially barbecue.

Voye and Victor recalled nights when Rich and his roommates cooked them dinner — barbecue chicken, pasta and vegetables — and then did the dishes.

“He just wanted to love the people he was around and for them to love him,” she said.

Voye said Rich was friends with everyone and never differentiated between people. He was easy to get along with, and that is what drew people to him, she said.

“He will definitely be missed by everyone who knew him,” she said. “You’ll never meet anyone like Rich Noble.”