Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms RIP .Richard Gilbert.

Looking at the photos posted I realise I've chatted to him on many occasions at Morgan events, but without realising who this lovely unassuming gentleman who took photographs really was.

Realising I will never be able to chat to him again brings with it a great sadness: it was a privilege to have known him.

Having got to Know Richard very well, I'm still very shocked at whats happend. The race meeting last weekend at Oulton Park was very hard, for everyone. You could just feel that there was an empty space around you, No Richard sneaking up and taking a crafty pic.
I for one was very very greatful to of met him and to of classed him as a true friend.
I'm so grateful for all the amazing and excellent shots he took and of course of us all racing.
NO ONE will EVER fill his boots.

The funeral arrangements have now been made....probably better that I copy the message from James so that you have all the info.

"Dear all friends and colleagues of Richard Gilbert,


We have now secured a funeral date of Friday 2nd of October 1pm at Worcester Crematorium. The crematorium in Worcester is not massive so please arrive in good time, unfortunately many of you will be standing but please be patient with us. The important thing is that everyone is able to attend and pay their final respects to Dad. We have given a few weeks notice to allow those of you travelling from far to make the necessary travel arrangements and we hope that by holding it on a Friday this will help.


I would personally not like to refer to it as a funeral (instead a celebration of a wonderful life) and will not be wearing a black tie but we would like you all to wear and refer to the day however you feel comfortable. His life was cut short and as such we feel it is important to welcome anybody who knew and had a friendship with Dad that would like to pay their respects, we would also welcome everyone on to the celebrations after the crematorium at a location in Worcester that we are yet to finalise. We have received so many beautiful messages from lots of people in various different parts of Dad’s life and as such it makes it incredibly difficult to know just how many people will turn up but please rest assured everyone is welcome and your support and strength is keeping us all going at the moment.


If you have a Morgan car then please bring it, even if it’s raining it would be fitting to surround Dad with the cars he loved so much and spent so many happy times in his life around.


Thanks

James. "

As soon as I get any more information, I'll let you all know.

Thank you John

I'm speechless. I thik I met Richard twice. First time was when I collected the the M3W, he was with Jays (and if I recall correctly they got locked up in the factory after we left). I didn't talk to him much but Leo, my wife did, because he specifically went up to her and asked her permission to publish the photos of the ocasion on Facebook. She remembers that as a gesture of the politeness we find rare nowadays.

The second time was during the TOTH last July. I'm trying to take a picture of the start line and suddenly I hear a guy next to me saying "Hi Mario, it's nice to see you here". I look and my confusion was aparent because he laughs and says "You have no clue who I am, do you?" ... I do that stupid smile we all do when we're caught up in such a situation and then he says: "I'm Richard, was with Jay when you picked your 3 wheeler" ... then I struck my head and said "Of course, I'm so sorry". And from that moment on we had a chat about the TOTH, my problems with the M3W (he seemed to know pretty much everything about them), about the journeys to and from Portugal in both my Morgans. It was really nice from him to come to greet me (although I can't complain about anyone really, we were overwhelmed with the way TM community received us up there).

For all I knew of him, and I knew little, the lasting memory I'm left with is of a very nice human being. May he rest in peace!

Gunther Biener has placed a fitting verbal and pictorial tribute on Facebook to the man - copied to his sons dropbox.

Those that frequent Goodwood will know and have seen his excellent work.

For those of you who are planning to attend Richards funeral, there is a gathering for everyone afterwards and James and the family are anxious that everyone feels welcome to attend.....the more Morgans the better to remember Richard by.

This is being held just south west of Worcester at
The Bank Hotel and Golf Course
10 Fairways Close
Worcester
WR6 5JR

Unfortunately, work is getting in the way...

Unfortunately, I can't make the funeral as hoped as I've got to take to the airport this afternoon.

Jays please pass on my condolences to James and the family. It's still haunting me that smoebody so nice and jolly as Richard can be taken away in his prime.

I am planning to attend Richard's funeral.