GA member ancientrichard

[northie]

With the blessing of GA's admins, I have some sad news to report.

Long-time GA member @ancientrichard passed away suddenly at the weekend. He was at home, a place he shared with members of his found family.

He first came across my radar on GA as a fellow Brit. (Yes, we're that thinly spread.) Then as I went through a phase of posting photos, he would comment particularly on my garden snaps. He was a keen gardener – flowers and veg, particularly tomatoes. There's a photo album of his garden which you can reach from his profile. 

Sometime later, he posted a question concerning a non-technical aspect of his own website. I was able to help and in doing so, started the email conversation which represents most of my contact with Richard. If you're curious about his website, the address is given on his profile. He built it entirely from scratch, just to prove he could.

That in some ways sums up the man I saw. An older individual, keeping his mind busy and engaged. A scientist, unafraid to try new things, and not necessarily to follow well-trodden paths. 

He read a lot – philosophy, science, tech, and of course, fiction. Richard's tastes on GA didn't overlap with my writing much, so our paths rarely crossed. I remember him being pleased when Mike Arram's brand of historical fantasy came to the site. You can read Richard's GA blog review here of one series. In fact, he followed 119 authors, ranging from some of the site's 'great and good' to several names I haven't seen before.

I shall miss Richard. 

This is only my incomplete view. Please use the comments to add your thoughts and recollections. They are all welcome. 

Addition: I originally intended to do this as a joint post with @Parker Owens but time zones went against us. Here are Parker's thoughts:

 I remember interacting with him in reaction to GA stories and posts.  He and I shared a love for @AC Benus 'Bound & Bound'.  We shared interests in mathematics, especially irrational numbers like pi and e. He had an appreciation for pattern in both maths and poetry. 

Edited January 10, 2023 by northie

[Mikiesboy]

Thank you for sharing this, northie. 

Richard was a great guy. i always like hearing from him and reading things he cared to share about his garden and tomatoes. It was always a pleasure to hear from him.

[Valkyrie]

Thank you for letting us know.  I'm very sorry to hear of Richard's passing.  He read and commented on several of my stories, and I always enjoyed my interactions with him.  I also really liked seeing his garden pics.  I will miss him.    

[Bill W]

I know you probably don't like being the bearer of bad news, but I appreciate you letting me know about ancientrichard.  He followed me and commented on many of my stories.  He will be greatly missed and I hope he finds the life he always wanted in the hereafter.  

[sandrewn]

 

@northie

Thank you for lettings us know.

Another friend lost. He always had a kind comment for me. This picture will always be my memory of him.

 

http://jrt.org.uk/pictures/dr_wurT.jpg

 

 

I just read his Chronicle for 2022, I never heard his voice, but can hear him as I read it.

 

Chronicle for 2022

 

 

Richard,

Fair Winds and Following Seas

 

sandrewn

Edited January 10, 2023 by sandrewn

[Drew Espinosa]

Richard and I didn't interact often, but when we did, it was always over our mutual love for mathematics. He will be dearly missed.

[Carlos Hazday]

Richard's death saddens me.

He read my stories religiously, and I enjoyed our exchanges in the comment section and later in private messages. He last visited my profile page last Friday (maybe the one before.) It was a ritual whenever I posted anything. He preferred to read complete stories and as soon as I posted a chapter with The End at the bottom of the page, his reactions were swift. A minor one, but that was one of the reasons I've concentrated on shorter stories lately. He and Will Hawkins in Brazil--who hasn't been around for a while and I fear has passed--followed the same approach and made me smile frequently. You shall be missed, Ancient Richard.

Thanks for sharing the information @northie

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by Carlos Hazday

[Palantir]

Oh No!

Reserved, gifted, thoughtful - GA has lost a quietly special member.

Richard honored me with the use of one of his comments for the published version of my fantasy story and in our last communication he commented on the novelty of receiving a hand written thank-you letter. We both lived through time before the internet but evidently letter-writing had a special place in his life.

Vale.

[Daddydavek]

His garden was a joy for him which he shared. I too shall miss him.

[Mancunian]

Thank you @northie for keeping us informed, this is sad news. Although my interactions with ancientrichard were only occasional they were always cheerful and full of warmth and friendship. When I first joined GA he was welcoming, when I started posting stories he was supportive, when I have had my down times he was a friend. I will miss him, as I'm sure many will. GA has lost a valuable member who valued all that GA stands for. We have all lost a humble and valuable friend. May you rest in peace with your loved ones and those friends from GA who have gone before you.

[Reader1810]

@northie

What you’ve written about Richard and what made him tick is a really quite wonderful. I’m sure he would have been pleased. 

RIP Richard.

[drpaladin]

Many times we don't truly appreciate someone until they're gone.

Richard was a kind and gentle soul and the world is lesser without him.