Maybe I’ve mentioned this before and maybe I haven’t but those who know me well will verify this fact – I don’t handle change well.

But like it or not change happens, circumstances change and people come and go, especially here in the newsroom.

And this month we’re facing someone leaving — and not just anyone, but someone who’s been an icon of The Daily World for decades.

You might remember that Rick Anderson, The Daily World Sports Editor, announced his retirement in January 2015.

But thank goodness for us, when it became apparent that we needed him a while longer, Rick said “OK.” And he’s been here ever since — part time, he keeps insisting, but he’s at the sports desk and out covering games and events for lots of hours every week, just as he’s always been, making sure the sports department covers sports all over Grays Harbor and North Pacific counties.

And I’m talking lots of sports, lots of schools and lots of other athletic events that take place on the Twin Harbors. School sports like football, baseball, swimming, softball, wrestling, soccer, track, golf and tennis as well as organized sports like Little League, Babe Ruth, The Gulls, events at the Grays Harbor Racetrack, etc.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but you get the idea.

A couple of months ago, Rick told us all he’d be retiring for real this time at the end of April. And that date is fast approaching.

Somehow we’ll survive and The Daily World will continue to cover local sports just as they’ve been doing for more than over 80 years. But it won’t be easy.

Rick is a huge supporter of our local athletes and does everything he can to make sure they get the recognition they deserve. You’ve seen him at sporting events throughout the area, notepad in hand, scribbling down statistics, talking to coaches. You’ve seen his byline on stories and read his column, “Going the Rounds” for years.

But one thing you may not know about Rick, is his unbelievable vast knowledge and quick recall — and I’m talking everything from the score of the last year’s Hoquiam-Aberdeen boys soccer game to when was the first time the Montesano Bulldogs went to the state football playoffs.

And it’s not just sports statistics that he has stored away. Questions about politics (What year did George McGovern run for President?”) to movies, including Oscar winners (How many times has Meryl Streep won Best Actress?)

He’s our walking encyclopedia, our “phone a friend.”

But all the wishing in the world can’t put off the inevitable — Rick Anderson is REALLY retiring this time. Well, ALMOST really. He’ll still write columns for us once in a while and you might even see his byline on a game story now and again. But it will be his choice, and deservedly so. He’s endured tons of deadlines, rescheduling of games, torrential rain and chilly press boxes, dozens of coaches calling in game reports in a two-hour session, and he’s done it all with one goal in mind — to let the readership of The Daily World stay up to speed on the athletes and athletics of the Twin Harbors.

The sports department will carry on, still covering lots of events all the way from Elma to the coast, from Quinault to South Bend.

But there will always be a big hole left in The Daily World newsroom ‘cause Rick Anderson is REALLY retiring this time and I’m really going to miss him.

Bon voyage, Rick.