I started working with Richard seven years ago, and throughout that time he generously shared his knowledge and ideas with me. It was an enjoyable mix of solving work challenges and sharing stories of our leisure time, often accompanied by a cup of tea during the work day and sometimes a cold pint for happy hour. He was a tireless advocate for his team and peers at TELUS, and always supportive of people’s career progression - whether they were moving within or outside the company. I saw Richard’s humour regularly make people smile and lighten the mood during meetings. He often spoke of family and friends, conveying how important they were to him and encouraging everyone around him to always seek balance in their lives. I’m fortunate to continue working with so many people who knew Richard well, had their lives positively impacted by him, and who are always willing to share memories and stories of their experiences with him. Sending support to his family, friends and colleagues.

Richard was a good friend and a great person. He was a mentor to me, and helped me learn how to look behind the numbers to find the business truths, and learn from that process. His wonderfully wicked sharp sense of humor is mentioned time and again by his friends and coworkers!  I will miss his razor sharp wit; and the underlying goodness and humanity that grounded it. Press on old boy, hopefully I will see you again, down the road and over the mountains in the next stage.

I first met Rich back in 2006 on my first day at TELUS.  I was new to the company, city, and country (day 4 of my lifelong Canadian adventure). He was my "next door neighbour" on the other side of the cubicle pod.  We became good friends.  We quickly established a regular group of like minded folks who enjoyed a beer (or two) in the local pub once or twice a week.  

We continued this tradition even when I left the company for 3 years.  It was in one of these meetings that he told me about this awesome team he was managing, jokingly (but seriously) I asked if he was hiring.  This is how a month or so later I found myself once again on the other side of the cubical wall, reporting to the man who had become one of my oldest (in Canada) friends.

Rich was a great manager.  He was the reason I came back to work at TELUS and join his amazing group of data scientists.  Seeing how he developed junior members of the team and skyrocketed their skills and business acumen is something he was proud of.  We never had to question if he had our back

In 2017 my wife and I moved away from Vancouver and set our sights on Edmonton.  Rich and I still had our chats multiple times per week where we could exchange our recent culinary experiments and I’d receive any updated stock advice, and just catch up on life.

I’m going to miss my old friend.

I worked with Richard at TELUS for many years. He was approachable, friendly and always willing to help. I enjoyed my discussions with him around data, analytics and business.  He was genuine in expressing his thoughts and feelings on topics. We lost a brilliant man and he will be missed.

Richie was a good friend, and a good man. I cried when I heard the news. We met way back in 1998 working at BC Tel, instantly connected and became fast friends. We spent a ton of time together in those younger days - hanging out at work, going out at night, going on trips, just having the time of our lives. Through it all Rich was a tremendously fun-loving, genuine, and loyal friend.

I moved on from the company, but we stayed good friends. Even after moving to Toronto, we would still (occasionally as guys do!) keep in touch. Time and space were no boundary to his friendship. We could go forever without seeing each other, then decide to meet up for a trip to Mexico and pick things up exactly where we left off. He was constant. He was Richie. 

I moved back to Vancouver, and as happens with age, career and relationships move up the priority list. But we’d still get together from time to time – a concert here, trip to the driving range there. I’d wish it was more, but you know how life is. When I got married not too long ago, we had a small ceremony and Richie was one of the people I absolutely wanted to be there. He made it and I was so honored to have him there.  He was a big part of my life, and will always be a part of me. He was loved.

I only met Richard last year through curling at the Port Moody Curling Club, first through helping out with the "Newbies"and then over the last curling season as part of the Friday Nite Rocks league. His enthusiasm for the game, for learning something new, and Richard's embracing of the sportsmanship which is the backbone of the sport of curling was so wonderful to see. We will miss his smile and good natured attitude out on the ice. Rest in peace Richard. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.

I always remember spending many days and nights at such a welcome and busy home…we were teenagers and when his sister and I were hanging out or waiting to go to basketball there was always some form of sibling rivalry happening…we were always running to escape his new plan 😂 

Richard loved his low rider and was always eating. But more than anything I remember how much his little sis (one of my besties at the time) looked up to him, and how much he was loved by her, Robert and his parents.  If we had smart phones then I can imagine the captures we would have had of him lol …he was always up to something!

Gone far too soon, my deepest condolences to the family.  You are in my thoughts. And he will be in yours forever as you keep his spirit and memories alive. Sending big hugs.

Richard was known as the go-to expert in the call centre operations for various business analytics.  I have fond memories of working with him.  He was always patient and kind, even with last minute requests.  It is indeed a loss for the world that Richard has left us so quickly.  
Praying for peace and comfort for the family during this difficult time.

For many years Richard has been my manager & mentor. No one has helped to demonstrate to me more about how perfect is the enemy of good than Richard, given the volume & quality of data we work with as a team, this has been an invaluable gift. I envy Richard's ability to push us to think beyond an immediate goal to consider an additional further out goal as part of a bigger picture.  

Over the years he has always shown interest in not just building a working relationship with myself but also a personal relationship. It was commonplace to discuss camping plans, gardening, his stock market 'tips' or our families. Rest in peace Richard, you are appreciated and missed.

Richard was my manager for the last 9 years.  He was very smart and caring and he did whatever he could to make every member of the team feel valued both individually and for their work.  I have countless memories with Richard that I’ll never forget. Whenever we were in the office together, I could count on him to look over at some point in the afternoon and say “Feeling Thirsty” with a big grin on his face, then we’d go grab a drink with whoever from the team was in the office that day.  We had many conversations about his varied interests from stocks to camping to baking and many other things. Across them all, it was clear that he was very close with his family and loved them very much and enjoyed spending time with them above all.  Richard was a great man and will be dearly missed.

I was lucky enough to spending my 20's with Richie, our group shared countless memories from the townhouse days, from the  camping trips to Cat Lake, driving around in the Mazdas, to celebrating birthdays at Fogg and Suds.  You will be missed my friend, I will always remember your witty comments and big smile.

Richard was my manager for the last 8 years. I always admired his ability to understand people, make them special, and care for them. There were no boundaries, but sincerity and friendliness. It was a typical situatation when during discussion a complex technical topic we switched to Ikea sale and he mentioned that true shopping wisdom is not to shop during the sale, but shop for the returning items after the sale. Yes, he was practical too. Our last conversation he said that doctors had a bad news for him, but he is not going to give up and he will fight. Yes, Richard, we will fight.

Richard.  My buddy from the very beginning of my telecom journey.  We started a month apart as telemarketers in 1997, the job no one else wanted.  But you know what?  They were the best jobs we had at TELUS.  We had so much fun as a team that to this day I tell others about how good work was for us.

He was smart, he was funny, and he was a riot on hung over Sunday morning OT shifts.  Either Petty was giving us hell for something, or Katerina was behind me drinking buttermilk to overcome whatever she'd done the night before.  All of it is burned in my brain, even if it was more than 25 years ago.

When I came out, of course Richard teased me, but he'd defend me no mater what and I knew that.   It's how we rolled.

I know we hadn't spoken in a while buddy, but I have no doubt that you put up a fight.  Next time I'm near The Met in New West, I'm going in for a beer in your honour.  Heaven knows that places needs a bit of honour right?

We'll all miss you.  Suzanne, we're all here for you.  <3

I worked with Richard at TELUS for many years. We were never on the same team, but somehow, our paths would always cross. I remember going down to his desk at Canada Way and joking with him about anything and everything. He always made me laugh. I always learned something when I spoke to him, like how to find quality key limes for key lime pie. He was a special person and he will be missed.

Richard started off as a work colleague but quickly became a friend.  We started together at BCTel and many years of fun and shenanigans followed.  Richard was kind and his laugh was contagious.  He had the biggest smile!  We lost touch over the years but I will miss him.  Gone far too young, rest easy my friend.

Richard was the best manager I have had just yet.
He was very concerned about me as an employee and also about life outside work. He truly cared about my progress, career wise and also made sure i got as much support as i needed.    
We talked about lots of things and also spoke a lot about his nephews and siblings.     
I would bake his cookie recipe in remembrance of him, as he also had a lot of cooking shenanigans . 
I looked forward to meeting him in person, as he was my manager for over 3 years. 
I will miss all our meetings and reminders a lot.
Rest in peace Richard!

Deeply saddened when I heard this heart breaking news.  I first met Richard when we were in our early 20’s  when we worked together at Telus Telesales.  Richard was smart and funny, he had a sharp sarcastic wit.  We would joke about how easily we could make him blush.   I remember Rich getting a new hair cut and the group jokingly calling him McCauley Caulkin just to see him blush.  I remember our conversations about money and investing. He was an amazing baker.  No surprise that he progressed in his career at Telus.  Last time I got to see Rich was before Covid so it had been a while.   Hard to grasp the loss, he was way too young.  Sending sincere condolences to  all of his family and friends.  May his memories give you comfort.  Rest in peace my friend.

My heartfelt condolences to Richard's loved ones. I worked with Richard in New West and Marketing. So many fond memories and laughs shared with Richard. Few standouts to share... We used to take turns to pay for team breakfast and Richard's turn was always well-timed during $2 IHOP date. We teased him for that. One Christmas he surprised us each with a gift. I can still picture his face (the mischievous and joy) as he excitedly waited for us to open it. The gift was a cow piggy bank that I still have 20+years later. He had the entire team rolling on the ground laughing because it was such a fitting gift from him. The last memory to share was his impressive and competitive baking skills... the snow globe he made blew us away and set a course for many years where he had to win every year after no matter what it took. A kind smart colleague, unique in his own ways and he brought laughter to those who worked with him.

Richard was a very nice person and one of the best managers I've ever had at any company.  He had a genuine interest in and care for what was going on with his team members outside of work and was always there to offer help or advice and was always encouraging.  

I'm going to miss our chats about our various cooking exploits, his fruit trees and the bears using his yard as a buffet line!  I've only known Richard for about 3 years but he really touched my life in that time and I was lucky to meet him.

Richard was an incredible manager. When I first joined his team it was in a developmental role, and there were many skills and responsiblities that I needed to learn that were completely new to me.  I remember often feeling overwhelmed or like I wasn't understanding things that I should, and so I would be nervous to meet with Richard. I distinctly remember how good I felt, however, after each time we would meet. 

As anyone who has worked under Richard I'm sure would tell you, he was extremely supportive as a manager. When it felt like the sky was falling, he was always a calming presence.  It was always a priority to him that we were not feeling overworked, and that we took time in our schedules to focus on our personal development. He may have even pushed us to sign off early on a few occaisions before a long weekend. Without the patience and support that Richard provided me through those years I would have never had the chance to develop into the person I am today. I will always remember him for that.

Richard and I would often spend much of our 1:1 meetings discussing cooking, and gardening. I was only just starting to try to garden herbs and fruit/veg, and so Richard showed me his lemon tree that he had been keeping for a few years. I thought this was very cool, and so months later my girlfriend bought me a little lemon tree of my own.  When I was moving on from Richards team, he told me that he had something to mail me - and a week later a large lemon tree pot had arrived! I will think of Richard now whenever I see this tree, and will have only fond memories to look back on.

I have good memories of the time spent in the call center and other roles at TELUS with Richard. Peace to the departed soul, prayers and strength for the family.

Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Richard. Although we met as colleagues, he became a friend to me. I remember the times we spent geeking out on data and everything he taught me about sharing data in presentations. Our conversations expanded to hearing about his love of money in the casinos in Vegas, to the next cooking feat (especially those competitive Christmas cookie exchanges), and, of course, his love of beer. I recall the joy we shared during our birthday exchanges, always with a hint of Feenstra sarcasm. For the family, I hope you take comfort in these words, knowing that those around him loved him.

Richard and I were in the same training class when we first started at Telus in 1997. He became a friend and we spent many nights dancing at the clubs, bowling for big brother, lots of fun nights out. We lost touch over the years, but I always remember Richard fondly. I’m so sorry for everyone’s loss.

He was my friend and someone that reported to be for years at Telus. 
He was amazing and full of life and so so smart! He will always be in my heart . I am so sad  to hear about his passing. Hopefully we see each other again in an after life/..goodbye  my friend 🩷

So sorry to Richard’s friends and family for this loss. He was my first manager at TELUS back in 2003 and  we used to always try to make him blush during team meetings. 
He was always supportive and kind as a manager and had a great sense of humour. Whenever our paths would cross later on in my career, we had great conversations reminiscing. I will remember him fondly.

Richard has been my manager at TELUS for the last five years. In that time he was not only an exceptional manager, but also a mentor and a friend. He always had my back, always kept his word, and always did the right thing.

It’s through my relationship with Richard that I learned, through trial by fire, that the professional relationships we build are as – if not more – important than the work itself. He was there to support me when I went through some of the most difficult periods in my life, and he pushed me hard to take responsibility when nobody else would or could.

I can honestly say that Richard’s impact on my career has been singularly formative. I’m deeply appreciative of the experiences we shared together, and I hope I can take the best of his example forward with me in the rest of my career and life.

Thanks to everyone who helped make Richard the exceptional person that he was. It wasn’t for nothing.

Your humor and smile will always be remembered.  You are gone far too soon. It was great working with you and getting to know you. We didn't see eye to eye on some things because you were taller then me.  Hopefully you are in a place where too many have left us at far too young an age.  If so say hello.

OBITUARIO

Richard Michael Feenstra

2 octubre, 1975 – 25 mayo, 2024

Burkeview Memorial Services

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios