Richard passed away 2 years ago today. I was planning a memorial for him today. But, me and Dan are still homeless so to speak,  (buying a new build house) and have been renting for 3 months. Richard deserved a better "send off" covid took his life and his funeral.  

I met Richard as a passenger on Northern Rail trains along with the other guards who I loved to have a chat to or just smile at. Quite often I'd be on the train in my Museum of Transport Manchester tee shirt because I'd been on volunteer duty that day. Richard picked up on that and told me he had a common interest. In the Trans Pennine days when there was an area often at the rear of the train for persons with disabilities and if unoccupied therefore a large area to chat even if the seating was less comfortable. If Richard was guarding, and the relevant bit was at the rear, I would sit in that area and once he'd done his ticket checks, he would come and join me and between Preston and Lancaster we could talk buses and beer.
Richard was for a while part owner of a former Barrow Corporation bus which is now in the ownership of the Workington Transport Heritage Trust.

The number of messages received since the sad news of Richards passing reflects how much he was respected and loved by his customers and the railway family. From all of the leadership team at Northern I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Richards family. We have lost a valued colleague who will be sorely missed. All our thoughts are with you. Chris Jackson, Regional Director Northern Trains