Richard sadly passed away on 1st March 2020. The funeral is Friday 24th April.
10 minute ceremony: The Beatles “Follow the Sun”, a poem (Let Me Go by Christina Rossetti) and Duke Ellington/Billy Straythorn’s ‘Take the A Train’ on the way out. Lockdown means if you’d like to join in, we need to do it in a different way.
Friday is ‘Raise a Glass to Rick’ day
If you’d like to be there in spirit – have a drink at 9pm or just anytime during the day. Take an “I’m Raising my Glass to Rick” snapshot and share it with a message below, attach it to a text message or email it to Deb. Or share a moment from the past. We’d like everyone who enjoyed time with him to celebrate their friendship on Friday.
“As I think back over the conversations we had together, it is the topic of southern Italy that stands out for me. Perhaps, then, we should take heart from the Mediterranean way of grieving: to lament Rick’s passing but more importantly, to celebrate the time he shared with us during a life that was both rich and full. He would like that.” Roger Balm
When we are all allowed out again – memorial parties will happen – in England, Wales, France and Italy … And of course – at Joe Allen’s.
I raised a glass to you, Rick, and to all our younger selves. I remembered you coaching us in singing close harmony, in the early seventies, “Helplessly Hoping” I think, rehearsing night after night till we perfected it. Lots of song, politics and laughter.
A special man with a great sense of humour, thinking of him,l thought he would like my photo with the caption Glass well and truly raised.Thanks for the happiness you gave us Rick.
Best wishes
Gavin
For me it was the dark humour I adored – sometimes the darker the better – that would have him doing the trademark shoulder-shaking laugh.
Remembering beloved Rick. He was a true old skool gentleman, an utter legend
Wow, all the great conversations had with Rick.
He did not always agree, but he always listened.
Cheers Rick!
The drinking has been officially extended to last all week
Bye Rick You will be missed!
A special man with a great sense
of humour
My glass truly raised from a Greek island you would love!
All best wishes to you and Deb
Gavin
To the good times. Cheers!
Auf Wiedersehn, Rick
Thank you and raise my glass X
Larger than life, what a hole to fill….!? and yet so much left for us to remember, dear Rick.
It is unlikely that anyone present at the ‘Nagelhof Turkish night’ will ever forget it. Rick – you played guitar & I played violin….and we sang….utter nonsense! And then – seemingly out of nowhere – Turkish dancers appeared & whirled round the room! Magical!
Anxious Dave says
Farewell my Brilliant Friend, you were a Leopard, a Lion
Such a wonderful laugh he had, big and infectious, a lovely, lovely man.
Will always remember the wonderful boozy nights at Tynyrhelyg, full of wisdom, humour and song.
So long Rick
I remember Richard to be good fellow to all. One of my most found memories was when in Canada to attend his niece’s wedding,
After his sister Rita, had given a Brilliant speech, I went over to Him, and asked well what he thought of the speech he said “She was marvelous, but then she would be, She’s an Anderson after all” Richard you were a good fellow a kind soul a joy be around, and of course most importantly of all you were an
‘Anderson’
Any major dude with half a heart will surely… be raising a glass to you my friend.
Do you know the land where the citrus bloom…sorry I never made it with you to
Stromboli may be in a next life dear Rick
I was a little scared of Richard when I first spoke to him. I had an image of him being really grumpy and impatient – but how wrong was I?! It was just his commanding voice, which I miss.
Most of all though, I will miss never hearing his laugh again; that deep belly laugh.
Rik will forever remain a legend in our hearts. We will raise a glass of the finest whiskey this evening in honour of him.
My heart is aching but my head is happy that he had an incredible life and is free from pain and the ills of this world.
RIP Rik.
Cheers to Rick! Thank you for all of the great memories, jokes and laughs. I’ll always treasure the fond memories of being treated to an afternoon with Rick and Debbie at Joe Allen’s as a kid.
Nana’s 85th Birthday
Visiting my Uncle Rick, summer of 2018
We were so lucky to have Rick as part of the family growing up – him and Debbie made being an adult look like so much fun, I couldn’t wait to grow up and be like them!
Rick, you will be greatly missed.
A toast to a great guy. I will always remember and treasure our time together. Goodbye Rick and hope you meet John on your journey.
Rick gave to others time & thought; a precious gift.
A lover of Art; books, music, photography and philosophy – the discussions together are my memory. Thanks, mate.
“…the book creates meaning, the meaning creates life.” Roland Barthes
Rick and I used to spend many hours until late into the night at his “Existentialist Café” in Clerkenwell Road solving the problems of the universe over a bottle of Remy Martin. We were best of mates back in our shared printing days and he was also my Best Man. I doubt I’ll ever cease to miss him.
