Loss of a good friend and Pilot

It is with the deepest sadness and regret that I learnt of the passing away of Sqn Ldr Richie Rees last night after a fierce battle with cancer. He was a fantastic boss, friend and colleague and a charasmatic leader.

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Richie's immediate family and friends.

It is truly a great loss for the RAF and for the Rotary fraternity.

RIP.

A thoroughly sad day; Richie you will be badly missed. That someone with so much enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment of life should be taken away in such a manner is unfair in the extreme.

It is hard to fathom how quickly these things can happen and I hope there is some peace in Richie's immediate family after such a valiant and up-beat fight from a great fighter - simply unbelievable.

You will be remembered with a very big smile and many beers will be drunk in your name in the immediate future and for many years to come...

I can imagine you sorting-out, re-organising and enthusing about the place where you are now, filofax in hand, and those around you will be better off for it - as we have been for knowing you.

Go well.

A very sad day and a massive loss to so many including the service. Words on these occasions are so inadequate:(

I can only concur with the comments above. This is a very sad day. MY heartfelt condolences to Ritchies family. Ritchie was loved by all. In the many years i knew him he was a pleasure to be with and a pleasure to fly with. A fantastic guy all round. Both he and his family battled so hard. So sad, such a loss.

Richie, I flew with you in your pilot and crewman days and drank many beers with you over the years. God bless mate, you will be missed by all.
JT

A sad loss of an excellent person, officer and pilot. Sympathies to the family.

Richie, it is truly an honour to have know and served with you.

Our collective thoughts go to Sally and the kids at this horrendous time.

God Speed.

What can one say ... knew Ritchie in all his lives - stude crewman real crewman stude pilot and real (very real) pilot. Knowing he was ill doesn't make it any easier.

Love and prayers to Sally and the kids from us all - the more junior Miss Teeters used to babysit the little Reeses when we were all last at EGAA.

RIP Richie...:( A glass or three of the black will be raised to you tonight.

My condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends. A sad loss to all those who knew him. He will be sorely missed.

RIP. I will raise a glass to you tonight.

Knew Richie from IOT, Top Bloke

Condolences to his family

RIP

Richie, you will be sadly, sadly missed :sad:. The world is a lesser place without you,

Beer has been drunk tonight, hope the beer is cold up there too.

PCD

Richie was a great colleague and friend during my Aldergrove and Benson days. An oustanding officer, excellent pilot and a loving and caring husband and Dad.

Richie, I'm too far away to pay my respects in person but rest assured your memory will not be forgotten in these parts of the world.

Deepest sympathy to Sally and the Girls

Not met you for years Richie, last time was getting very drunk at Anne and Sully's wedding.....RIP mate

Top Bloke - why does it always happen to the good guys????

RIP & Condolences

Just read this. Very, very sad. I knew Ritchie as a crewman, and at IOT we lived just across the road.

My heartfelt sympathy to Sally and the family.

Rest in peace Ritchie.

From the Arizona deserts to the Norwegian Arctic I have some fantastic memories of Richie: chasing Humpback whales at low level in a pair of rented light aircraft up the Big Sur coastline; the legendary 12,000 NoKr 'all dayer' in the Scotsman in Bergen; putting all the kitty on black in a Groningen casino (and winning!)and boozy 2am river swims in a variety of European capital cities (remember Paris Rotarynav?). One of life's gentlemen, a dedicated husband and father and one of the most generous and loyal friends I have ever had. The world is definitely a poorer place without him and I'll miss him.
Like you said Lafyar, it's always the good guys.
My thoughts and prayers with Sally & the girls.
God bless mate.

Strobin' Purple

Was with you and Richie on virtually all those trips, and have the sun burn and frost bite scars, and the 12000NKr dent in the wallet to show for it. Paris will never be the same!! Great times, great laughs, great memories of a great bloke!

From those of us on the industry side, Richie was a super guy to work with and he will be missed. He had a real vision for what could be achieved and I know he fought his last battle with all the courage, good humour and determination that was the trademark of this approach to all things.

All thoughts and prayers are with his family. Tonight we will raise a glass to his memory...

:(

RN and strobin, I think it is appropriate to air a few more of the tales; you really should add the details of dits such as most definitely not going out in town in uniform in Bergen, and most definitely not drinking whilst going out in town in uniform in Bergen: a fine leader always knows when to take a detour from the orders given, and a fine leader he was, and (not that I was there) I know it was a fine detour.
Happy Days.

Many thanks to all Richie's friends. The messages are being well received by the family and are providing some comfort at this difficult time. Thanks again. Rotarynav thanks for starting this off, it is much appreciated.

Ref. flowers cards. Sally wishes for either a single red rose, to be placed at the end of the funeral, or a donation to the Phylis Tuckwell Hospice. ( Details will be available on the day ) Flowers will only be from immediate family. Thankyou.