Richard 'Box' Bachschmidt. RIP

One of my favorite people committed suicide last week, Richard Bachschmidt, or Box.

He was a DJ at our local radio station, live 105.5, for many years.

I can't tell you how many times this wonderful man cheered me up.

He was so honest, and so angry, and so loving, and often, in so much pain.

He quit the station last February after complaining for years (openly and on the air) that he was underpaid, underappreciated, and the work environment was poor.

Initially, after he quit he was going to move back to Florida, but instead stayed in Charleston and started a daily podcast.  He wasn't a personal friend of mine, but I followed him, as a fan, and because I loved him.

I often felt badly that I couldn't consistently listen to the podcast due to tech limitations in my car, and on my phone, and how and where I work.  But sometimes I was able to tune in and was always a little bit disappointed to note that there weren't that many people listening (on a podcast it says how many people are tuned in). I prayed he would get a break, or a new opportunity, or that the podcast would take off for him.

We have a lot of drama in Charleston, between hurricanes and floods and white supremacists and mass shootings.  Box was always there for us, talking us through, telling us the truth, making us laugh.

After he quit, the radio station he left, I don't know for sure, but I can only assume was inundated with complaints and sadness.  But they forged on, and have since branded themselves with the motto "live 105.5 where different is good." And mind you their "different" isn't rebellion or truth talking, they were just talking about moving forward without Box.  I listen every now and then and am annoyed and turned off most especially by their claim to be so "Charlestonian" as if that's such an amazing thing.

Box was always open with his struggles with depression, with his emotions, with his love life, with being on or off his meds.

I read after the announcement of his death, that the radio station he left, is going to somehow contribute to some mental health awareness campaign and suicide prevention organization in his honor.

Isn't that nice.

You know once you're open about your emotional struggles, or worse, once you're outed about it, due to lack of privacy, gossip and insensitivity, no one listens to you, or takes you seriously.

"I'm bummed out you..." "Have you taken your meds?"
"I don't think you respect me or pay me enough."  "Have you talked to your doctor?"

So to you live 105.5, I say your contributions to said organizations are noted, but did you pay him enough, did you take care of him?  He didn't think so.  And I don't think that was his "mental illness" talking.

He was the heart beat and the possible future of this city.  And no, let me assure you, in this case, different is not good, not even slightly.