I am sad to hear about Rich. I worked with him over the phone from the home office of Ameriprise in Minneapolis. He was always nice and I enjoyed working with him very much. I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry to hear of "coach Rich" passing

I can still remember driving to Brookdale to do a Region 19 championship in the late 90's

Coach to me was one of the few coaches, I interacted with and noticed a deep sense of loyalty

and respect going both ways - coach to players, players to coach, take a mental survey of players that are still around or show at Champs three, five, ten years later to support the team

I remember when Rich was first hired at Brookdale and the then AD was acting coach

and Rich and I learned some of the ropes together

He will be appreciated, respected and deeply and greatly missed

But I can not forget his smile and saying something to the effect

"don't worry about me, lets stay focus on the game ahead"

To his team past and present, to his colleagues, to his family, "fond members never fade"

take a look closely at the video, note that smile I mention earlier, Rich fair thee well

https://claytonfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/3542/Richard-Karpinski/obituary.html

Marvin Hill

ITA Referee

With Sympathy Thinking Of You In These Difficult Times And Sending Love ❤️ The Stolowski Family

We are very sad to hear of your loss

Our deepest sympathy

Tony, Darry, Peter and Mike Wasiuk

Hampton NH

The Stolowski Family from Fleetwood Drive in Hazlet send their condolences. We will keep Rich's family and friends in our prayers during this difficult time.

Kaaaaarrrrp...It's after midnight and I know it's late. I was out seeing a Dead cover band, but I wanted to say goodbye. I'd much rather be setting the alarm to get up early to meet you at the court to hit. But I know you won't be able to make it. I'd much rather be checking my phone to grab your message saying you're out for a bike ride in OG, and were stopping by the cottage to say hi to me and Maribeth. But I know the phone isn't going to ring. I'd much rather be hangin' out reminiscing about the 80-81 tennis team at Upsala: Charlie. "H." Tony. Dawson. Toz. Ritchie. Me. And, of course, you. The memories, stealing a phrase from Rangers' announcer Sam Rosen, "will last a lifetime." But I know we'll no longer be able to share those stories; although they won't be forgotten. Being part of that team was a special time. It was pure magic. It wasn't really about the tiebreakers. Or the aces. Or the cross-court winners. It was about the friendships. The unbreakable bond of the team. I know you went on to be a great tennis coach. But I will remember you in your prime as a player. A very good one at that. And a teammate. The best there was. And a friend. There's no way to measure that. Well, it's getting really late. And, I guess, it's really time to say goodbye. Addaaaaammmm

It had been too many years since we caught up, but Coach and I connected via phone last year. I am so thankful we did, but it hurts knowing that was the last time. There is so much left to say...

Coach Karp, you will forever be in my heart and in my thoughts. You helped shape my future and countless others over the years, and your legacy and dreams will carry on through the people you impacted. The competitive spirit and the battles on the court we had will be missed. To this day, I still love the drill at net where you worked on your touch volleys while we ran side to side chasing them down until we were completely out of gas. I am thankful my Dad and I met you at the courts that afternoon in 1998. I was done with competitive tennis, having lost confidence and belief that I could take the game any further. That changed when we met you. RIP Coach. :'(

Rich was my neighbor growing up on Stanford Drive. Great guy from a great family. Rich was a great athlete and coach. Rest in Eternal Peace my friend

So sorry to hear of Richie's passing. We grew up together on Stanford Drive. He was a great kid who became a great man. My condolences to his family. I will be sure to keep Richie and his family in my prayers.

Coach was a great guy. He was the best coach I’ve ever had and most importantly was a very good friend. He brought unity to the Brookdale Tennis team, and was always there to help us out when we needed extra practice to sharpen our skills before a match. He brought team spirit and and gave the players a sense of purpose to strive harder to get to the next level of our game. Most of all, he gave us, the entire Brookdale tennis team from years passed, love and care, and that is where I hold him in the highest regards.

We’ve been through a lot, Coach from 2001-2003 and I will always cherish those memories forever. God bless and Rest In Peace

Words can not describe the loss and heartbreak. Coach was like a second father to me and the love we had for one another was unlike any other. Being from hazlet we loved having that blue collar mentality. I can not express enough my gratitude for coach taking me under his wing and allowing me to be his little buddy for the past 15 years! I will miss you everyday and always remember and cherish our times together on and off the court. Thank you for helping me fulfill my dreams of becoming a champion! Macch and I promise one day to bring home that national title and raise it to the sky in honor of the man who put Brookdale tennis on the map! We know your in a better place and will be all of our guardian angel! I love you coach and thank you for making me the man I am today.

This news is just devastating. A friend, coach and mentor for 30 years there was no better person! I will miss him dearly!

I had the great pleasure of knowing Karp as my coach, friend, and mentor for 13 years. I am so grateful he came up to me while I was hitting a ball against the wall in Avon and asked to hit with me. He was a wonderful coach, of course so knowledgeable about the X's and O's of the game. I think anyone who played for him though was instantly aware of how much he cared about you as a person, not just on the court. He had such a warm and welcoming personality and infectious sense of humor. I'll miss meeting up and hitting together Sunday mornings and going out after and grabbing brunch. I would not be the man I am today without his influence, guidance, and friendship. God bless Coach Karp.

Your love and passion for tennis was always evident. It was truly infectious...you were a fierce competitor and always wanted to win. I will never forget the many lessons I've learned from you. I'll cherish the many times we had and i'm forever grateful for your coaching and friendship.

Words cannot not express how much this hurts. He was a mentor, a friend and I know most important to him- he was Coach! I am going miss him dearly, for the past 20 years I’ve been blessed to have him in my life.

All our seasons and our team trips to Maryland where we would reminisce about our past teams, all his stories of how dominant him and Bobby were on the court, and his craziest time of his life his years at Upsala. He loved being on the courts.. I know that’s when he has happiest. He loved to coach, and pass on his knowledge of the game. Every season will be empty with out him, but I know he’ll be watching and I will always have him in my heart. You will forever be my Coach! Thank you..you will never be forgotten.

Great friend and coach. We both worked together and coached at. Brookdale. Will miss his humor and smile.

So saddened to learn tonite of Rich's untimely passing, from a RHS Class of 1974 good friend/fellow athlete of Rich's. Rich/I graduated from Raritan HS/Hazlet 45-years ago. He is remembered as a "very good guy, friendly to everyone"; and of course, his athletic prowess. On behalf of RHS Class of 1974, our deepest sympathy to his family. Marty Marino, Class President RHS '74, of Asbury Park, NJ.