Farewell to Dick Richardson

It is with great sadness that the Insurance Institute of Luton & Hertfordshire has to announce the passing of our Life Vice President Dick Richardson.

Dick served on the Council for many years and held the office of President in 1986 to 1987. Through Dick had retired from Council when I joined I did meet him on a number of occasions playing Cricket with Dick in the annual Insurance vs Brokers Cricket Match.

So I have asked a few of our members for their fond memories of Dick.

Chris Lowe Life Vice President had the following to say:

There are so many stories, but I will always remember the support that he gave to me and to every President that followed his tenure of office. One of the gentlest, kindest people I ever met, with an unfailing sense of humour.

Dick was totally and unwaverably committed to the CII at National and Local level, and was a leading light in the exam system. He wrote text books and set and marked exam papers, and as a lecturer, had the happy knack of making what could have been boring subjects into interest that secured exam success. The affection in which he was held was evidenced by the nickname "Mr Pastry", bestowed on him by some of his classes!

It was Dick that directly and indirectly helped me find a new career in broking at a time when I was considering leaving the business altogether.

When I first knew Dick, he was working for Trinity Insurance (now long absorbed into another carrier) One of Trinity's specialties was contingency insurance, as Dick put it: "The closest thing to gambling in the insurance world"

There is an apocryphal story that, during the late Queen's Jubilee year of 1977, during which she granted city status to Derby, the town council there were concerned that all the expense of setting up the celebrations and the accompanying royal visit, might be lost should Her Majesty fail to attend

When faced with trying to assess risk and, therefore, terms on the Royal non-appearance, it seems that someone at Trinity (don't ask...) called Ladbrokes in the City and asked what odds they would give on the Queen passing away before her visit to Derby.

In a short period of time afterwards, the Trinity office was visited by Special Branch, who had been alerted by the bookies to a possible assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth!

To know Dick was to love him. He was deeply admired by everyone in the profession, and a great influence on at least three generations of young professionals

Branko Bjelobaba – Life Vice President and Council Member had the follow to say:

Dick represented us at National Council for a number of years and was a recipient of a CII Exceptional Service Award. He was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Insurers (he proposed my own membership in 2002) and we bestowed on him our second Life Vice-Presidency (Maurice having had the first). Great, decent and humble in every way.

Andrew Watson – Life Vice President and Council Member had the following to say:

I remember Dick as a total Gentleman, he and I organised and led the Institutes annual tour of the Lloyd’s Building for many years his excellent knowledge of the inner workings of Lloyd’s through is former role as Agency Manager for Markel and his anecdotes were an amusing window into the workings of the world’s largest insurance market. I fondly remember him every time we organise a Lloyd’s visits.

Dick will be missed by his friends from the council and the insurance world as he had an influence on many people.

He is survived by his son, daughter and five grandchildren

Rest in peace