Richard was born on 30 March 1940 and died on 25 July 2022.
He was born in Bradford and lived in Shipley as a boy and attended Bradford Grammar School.
He was married to Joan and they have two children, John and Helen, and two grandchildren Ella and Oliver.
He was a strong family man with his family regularly attending his and Joan’s home in Guiseley and having annual family holidays together. For the past few years they have holidayed together in Jersey.
All his life he worked in the textile trade as a “Wool man”, within the Bradford area, becoming Managing Director of Sir James Hill before commencing with his own business which Richard and Joan operated together.
He became a Freemason in February 1973 being initiated into Corinthian 3600, who were then meeting at Connaught Rooms in Bradford.
He was raised in November 1973 after being passed in October 1973.
He became Worshipful Master of Corinthian in September 1986 and became a Grand Lodge Officer in the craft in April 2002 with the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
He was a member and Treasurer of John o Gaunt Rose Croix (182), a member and Treasurer of the Plains of MamreKnights Templar (89) and also a member of The Chapter of Moravia in the Royal Arch (387) within which he eventually became a Grand Chapter Officer in 2002 with the rank of Past Assistant Grand Sojourner. He was acting Director of Ceremonies within the Province of Yorkshire West Riding, Royal Arch, for nine years.
Until his death he was also a Director of Baildon Masonic Hall Company having been chairman on a number of occasions.
A week before he passed away the Worshipful Master and a number of Corinthian brethren attended Richard and Joan’s house and had a picnic with them. Richard was delighted to see the brethren whom he had not seen in numbers for a long time owing mainly to the Covid pandemic.
He will be sorely missed by the brethren of Corinthian Lodge 3600 for his wise counsel, knowledge and guidance.