Richard Blayden

Licelle Fleming Tanno and Astrid; This is very sad news indeed. Our condolences. I remember when mama passed away, I was prepared for the moment for a long time, yet I wasn’t. Both of you and especially Ansie must have similar feelings of relief that there is no more suffering, yet the loss and the awareness how final this is must be hard. We are with you and talked about Richard a lot today. Astrid mentioned she has 3 very good recipes from Richard. He will live on in our kitchen. Last year I had a very long correspondence with him on global warming. Warm feelings are still with us. Some pictures that show how we remember Richard.

Licelle Fleming Mike Coles ; Richard driving my boat on a fishing trip down that bay in 2012 and the other shows a "good catch" when we were kayaking on the Bay in 2010.

Licelle Fleming Derek Middle; We were so sorry to hear your sad news about Richard. He lived life to the full, and must have been very frustrated these last few years. I first met Richard in 1966, we were both rugby and rowing club members at Worthing, and later we both did our degrees at Brighton Polytechnic. We had some great camping holidays, along with Peter, Martin and Brian. At one time when I was homeless, I lodged with the Blayden family at Seldon Road, (his mother was a very good cook!). I've attached newspaper cuttings, (very poor quality I'm afraid), from 1967 when we represented Worthing in 'It's a Knockout' competition; also a cutting from his rowing club days. Once again, I can't say how sorry I am to hear about Richard's passing, he was a very good friend. Please let Ansie know that we appreciate how difficult it must have been for her, I'm sure that the children will be a great comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Derek and Jenny

Licelle Fleming Marie Angelo; I opened up Google Photos for a quick look and it was actually asking me, 'guess what was going on 15 years ago' (June 2008) .... and it was this!

Licelle Fleming Kirsty Cole; Happy fishing dear Richard🚣‍♂️. Big hugs to you all

Kate Fitchett

Kate Fitchett

Kate Fitchett Dad with his brother Adrian, sisters Marie and Sarah.

Michael COLES Mallard & Claret Fly Fishers Club offer our condolences to Ansie and family. Richard and Ansie hosting "happy hour" at the annual Australia Day fishout at The Hut on the Deepwater River. Always the gracious hosts!

Michael COLES Richard was the "thought leader" of our merry band of maintenance management consultants; first at BHP Engineering, then at Hatch. Seen here at the Mainstream Maintenance Conference in 2002 - with his customary sleeves turned up at the cuffs. Our clients benefitted greatly from Richard's prodigious intellect - which he captured in many papers, presentations and published books.

Sigi Matheve

Licelle Fleming Gary Meilandt; “Feel Free, Richard.” Tingalpa Creek. A beautiful day with valued friends.

Kate Fitchett In August 2018 Mark, Daisy and I were lucky enough to fly to Brisbane to spend two amazing weeks with Dad and Ansie, staying with them in their lovely home, with Scruffie the dog. Dad was suffering from his cancer, but that didn’t stop him making sure we had the most incredible time. We arrived late at night and our daughter Daisy, who was then 5, had hardly slept the whole flight! Dad greeted us with the biggest of hugs and took us to his “Ute” to drive us home. Daisy had never been in a vehicle so large! She was very excited, and thankfully asleep within minutes. Our stay was filled with, quite frankly, bloody gorgeous food! Our breakfasts were better than any 5-star hotel, fruits, cereals, a variety of eggs, toast, you name it (thanks also of course to Ansie!). Dad spoilt us with lots of local dishes too, including the fish “Flathead” which we don’t have over here, and even one evening – Kangaroo steak! To this day Daisy doesn’t like me cutting the leaves off strawberries. Dad would eat the strawberries whole, leaves and all. Now, to the disgust of her friends, Daisy still eats strawberries whole because “that’s how Grandad in Australia eats them”. Wine was plentiful. He clearly was an incredible host. He spent time teaching Daisy how to make pasta and one evening the two of them made a lemon and lime cheesecake – with A LOT of sprinkles. One night Dad made homemade pizza and showed Mark how to make homemade mozzarella. It was wonderful. (I’ve not had it since….get the message Mark 🤭). We did many day trips: Surfers paradise, Brisbane city centre, Wellington point, Brisbane animal sanctuary, Stradbroke Island where we watched dolphins swimming in the sea and Coochiemudlo Island to name a few. Our favourite was a visit to O’Rileys rainforest where we explored the forest before having a lovely lunch. The afternoon we spent feeding and covered in the most beautiful coloured wild birds that would just fly around and land on your head, arm, shoulders, wherever they could! It was hilarious. A truly incredible day and one that will stick with us forever. We all had such fun. At school in year 2, Daisy’s class were studying Australia. Daisy was very proud to take in her photos from this day out, and many other pictures from our adventures with Grandad to show her class. Throughout our trip Dad only took 2 days to rest, the fact that he continued fighting for another 5 years is incredible. He was a trooper. When Dad dropped us back at Brisbane airport for our flight back to the UK, it was a very tough goodbye. I am so pleased and so grateful we made that trip and got to spend that time with him. We have the most amazing memories. Sending our love to all.

Kate Fitchett Dad with his UK grandchildren x

Marie Angelo Oct 2010, Worthing, UK, tea at my place (sister), with Peter English, friend across many years and adventures, from childhood, rowing club and more...

Marie Angelo October 2010, Worthing, UK, at my place (sister) having coffee with mum Marguerite

Marie Angelo 1st Oct 2010 Worthing at my place (sister) with Sarah (sister), Marguerite (mum), Ansie, Richard, 'Starry' Mike (my partner)