I had the good fortune to work with Richard and am sure that the world will be a lesser place without his wit and charm. With saddness Nora Jewell Tolber

I too had the good fortune to work with Dick when he was a graduate student in Vancouver BC. Dick introduced me to the ecology of the Sonoran Desert during his research work in Deep Canyon, California. We had a great time working together. I loved this enthusiasm for ecology, natural history, politics, and of course, food and drink. I recall us being referred to as the 'truffle sundae kids from Canada' at the Indian Wells Date Garden in Palm Desert due to our frequent visits to this establishment. The desert has become a very special place for both my wife and I and it was Dick that brought the beauty and wonder of this part of the world into our lives. For this we will be ever grateful. He was one of a kind and will be missed. Barry Booth

Dick was a shining star in my life as a graduate student at San Francisco State University from 1992-1996, and on into his work in Bloomington. At that time he was working with Barry Sinervo on lizards. Dick agreed to become one of my major advisors with Tom Smith from SFSU. He was one of the reasons that I finished my Master's degree. He was in the field with me. We talked about life, love and lizards on a daily basis. He helped explain statistics and even ran many analyses with me. But, most importantly - he was a wonderful person to know and be around. He taught me how to make "Garbs and Torts" a favorite field dish. His laugh was infectious. He smiled often and was as genuine as anyone I have ever met. Dick, I will miss you greatly. I just went on a little SF golden gate park bird walk to get some air after Tony Frankino sent me the sad news - and I heard an Anna's hummingbird singing about you.

I also had the good fortune to work with Dick during my graduate work at University of British Columbia. To me, people like Dick was what made graduate school most rewarding. It was his love of thought, and his incessant inquisitiveness into evolution, ecology, or for that matter any complex problem that confronted ecologists that made Dick so unique. He loved to discuss any topic, and help students, with a warm smile on his face, without the ego and competitiveness that can be present in the academic environment. Dick was a true shining star and his overall contribution to ecology, and the students of ecology, cannot be underestimated.

to all the family and frinds of richard, may God be with you durring these hard times. mark deweese kb9udk.

I am so sorry for your loss. Dick was a great man, and he was always friendly and cheerful towards me. I remember my first meeting with him was when I was interviewed by a panel, including Dick, in 2001. He made me feel like we were old friends immediately, which put me at ease and probably helped me get the job. I really regret that since we traveled in different circles and since I work on a different campus, that I didn't get to see Dick more than occasionally over the years. I created an online memorial for Dick using his Herald Times obituary and a picture I found of him: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=60697838 I'd be very willing to update it with any more information that you would like to be on that page, and if you have any better pictures of him, I can add them as well. Take care, Chris

To Dick's family and friends, Dick was my boss when I was in Blooming. He is kind, strong, and wise. He encourage me a lot and helped me grow! I am sad to hear this news. May his smile, wit, and humor be with you. May peace and relax with him! Take care, Xin