I was deeply saddened to hear of Richard’s passing. The phrase “larger than life” might have been invented for him. The few years I spent in the Wayne group were some of my happiest, and the experience was certainly formative. Some of Richard’s catchphrases have even passed on somehow to my own children through frequent repetition. When being instructed in the art of glass-blowing by RPW, one would inevitably be called upon to hold two pieces of glass in place while he melted them together, and I always liked his wry observation: “I shall try not to burn you… but I’m not making any promises”. His bellow of “Who’s in charge of <some aspect of the running of the lab>?” whenever he couldn’t find what he wanted was much imitated.

He was writing Chemistry of Atmospheres while I was in the group, and involvement with the publishing process of that book led me away from science into an industry where I spent the next 30 years. Thanks for that, Richard! He and I crossed paths several times while I worked for Oxford University Press, while his various Chemistry Primers were going through the publishing process, but unfortunately I had moved on to biochemistry commissioning by the time Carol became his co-author on Photochemistry.

It was largely thanks to Richard’s (and Pete’s) pioneering spirit in the field of computers that I landed my next role in OUP’s fledgeling internet department. Richard obtained some BBC Micros and interfaced them with various detectors, but that did not preclude their use for endless games of Chuckie Egg. I did also learn a little programming. But I think it was mostly the stubborn “I am bloody well going to make this work” attitude that rubbed off and stood me in good stead throughout my life.

As many people will recall (perhaps somewhat hazily), the hospitality of the Wayne household was legendary, thanks to Brenda, Carol, and Andrew as well as Richard.

Thank you, Richard, for everything.