RICHARD K We have valued memories of Richard – RK, Kencho – mostly from the 1970s, the ‘good old days’ in JCU’s Biol Sciences. I arrived from England (from Essex, like Richard) early in 1974 to complete a Marine Biology Masters course.

A novice diver, I volunteered to help Richard in his Crown-of-Thorns research field work from the James Kirby.

On our first dive I sank straight to the bottom and landed on a carpet of fin-piercing COTS – and panicked. Back at the surface, Richard sorted out my buoyancy, settled my nerves and passed me the syringes to get on with the job of jabbing the COTS below.

A great buddy who I credit with saving my life!

John remembers Richard as a ‘fashion icon’ whilst on the James Kirby. His trademark attire was just a sarong, knotted round his athletic body. Was that all?

Early on, we established a shared penchant for Lapsang Souchong tea – the smokey brew with a smell that reminds me of the old boats I grew up with in Essex. Richard was the only person I know who had such an acquired taste. Something to do with us both being poms perhaps.

Reflecting on the family atmosphere of Biol Sciences, Richard featured prominently and theatrically in the April 1st Reviews – the annual event where we let our hair down and poked fun at colleagues.

Richard and friends entertained us with irreverent humour in the ‘I say, I say, I say’ banters. The biggest butt of these jokes was Professor Burdon-Jones, who bore refs to ‘Prof Turd ‘n Bones’ and ‘the biggest prick on the Throne of Corns’ with stoicism.

Leaving JCU behind, we enjoyed occasional social encounters with Richard and Carol, through mutual friends and shared interests in the arts.

Richard was very smart, with a sharp intellect and a quick wit.

He could talk the talk of the politicians and was persuasive of the merits of policies he proposed when I knew him here and there as a GBRMPA bureaucrat.

He seemed destined for a Canberra life. Our last close encounter with Richard and Carol was during their visit to Townsville to celebrate Richard’s sister Una’s 80th birthday (the date?).

Curiously, Una was then our neighbour, so we welcomed the Kenchos as our guests and enjoyed the birthday party, followed by more wine, frank talk and a dose of nostalgia.

Carol’s beautiful hand-made coral plates serve to remind us of the Kenchos on a daily basis. We’ll hang on to these special memories of you Richard. Sail forth in peace.

Love to you Carol and family, from Bryony and John Barnett, Townsville.