I met Richard in London when I joined one of several choirs I sang with in the late sixties and seventies.  He struck me as very old fashioned, but extremely courteous and full of interesting information.  We were out of touch for a while, but when I married and moved to Winchester I discovered that he was living here with his mother, Rosalie, a great character.  Since then we have met up (with my husband) for coffee and chats, especially in recent years after Rosalie died.  We will greatly miss his companionship, erudition and genuine friendship.  Like another contributor, I find it hard to believe that he is gone.  I am glad to have known him.