A year has passed, and I still feel deep sadness in knowing that you've moved on, and I won't see you again. When I drink my morning coffee from the EC-cup you gave me and when I pick up one of the many boots you made for me - I smile in sad, quiet reflection of your kind generosity.

For many months I've been emailing and trying to Skype to Rick unsuccessfully...finally, with great trepidation as I knew of his heart problems, I Googled his name and found this. I'm horrified. Rick and I go back to the 1980's when we worked together. I helped him with the sale of his possessions in Marin before he left for Montreal. I'm so deeply saddened to learn of this and I knew his heart was something he worried about and was puzzled by since he was so athletic for so many years. And what a brainiac and true Clapton lover! Ricky my friend, I will always miss you, Love and hugs, Ruthie

Rich was a great running friend of ours in Montreal. He encouraged us to train and accomplish three marathons. His belief in us was so encouraging. He was also a fun ski buddy in Vermont. We missed him when he moved to San Francisco but reunited with him in the U.K. We were happy to hear he had returned to Montreal. He loved this city; close to his family and old friends. We are saddened by his early death. He will be missed.

Richard was a great man. I want to bow to his memory for his bravery, his stoicism, his quiet strenght, his presence and his faith in humanity. He desired developping his emotional intelligence, but he already possesed a lot of it. I did not know of all his dreams but I am sure most of them came true before I met him. In the last year of his life, two really important of his dreams did. He went to Africa to see those he loved so much and always wished to meet; the great apes in their natural home. He searched a long time for the love of his soul mate and I believe he had the chance to meet her. His life's path amazed me for the personal growth he acquired. I was one of his many friends, and I learnt a lot from him.
Thank you, Richard, you helped me grow up...

I'm still in shock at Rick's passing.  Rick was my Best Man when Hazel and I got married.  It's hard to add to what's already been said about Rick except he was a true friend, a wonderful man, and an excellent runner.  My condolences goes out to his family.

Richard was a special friend - from Silicon Valley to London and back again to the valley.  We enjoyed many lively conversations and even livelier mails while he recovered from his knee surgery.
It seems impossible that he's left.
Yet for those of his left behind, we are all fortunate to have known and shared time with Richard.  A star!

It was a great joy and special privilege to share a too short moment in the life of this amazing human being that was Richard.
Richard was not only my love, my friend, my running companion, he was mainly a very sensitive, tender person... A man with great determination, but also a man with a warm and generous heart.
The passion and faith that filled him, gave him the courage to always go further. He always loved sharing a smile anytime, anywhere.
Richard had precious life values based on inner wealth. The music he listened to was always around one theme: Love.
Life is made of little details, but one detail can change a life and Richard was "that" detail for many of us.
Rest in peace "Apollon".
With all my love forever.

Marie

I am still in shock, I just wish I knew what happened. We had dinner not 3 months ago. He never said a word anything was wrong. I just wish I had of known. 
We walk this path alone, and sometimes nothing makes sense other than we may find peace beyond.

Dearest Rick, I shall miss your friendship and sense of calm, courtesy, and respect you always showed me.  I'm still a bit in shock. Rest in peace.  BR

I am Marie, Richard's girlfriend.
It was a with great joy and special privilege to share a too short moment in the life of this amazing human being that was Richard (Rick for some).
Richard was not only my love, my friend, my running companion, he was mainly a very sensitive, tender person... A man with great determination, but also a man with a warm and generous heart.
The passion and faith that filled him, gave him the courage to always go further. He always loved sharing a smile anytime, anywhere.
Richard had precious life values based on inner wealth. The music he listened to was always around one theme: Love.
Life is made of little details, but one detail can change a life and Richard was "that" detail for many of us.
January 7th, Richard left, after telling me: "Let's sleep a little more..."
I would like, in his name, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the warm messages.

Marie

I was so sad to learn of Rick's sudden death. He was a kind and fun-loving person with whom I shared many happy times right after our years at McGill. Our lives took different paths, although we still "ran" into each other for a few years at races and marathons. After a lapse of 30 years, I saw him briefly this summer,not realizing it would be the last time. Our lives are enriched by the good people we meet along the way, and Rick was one of these in my life. Rest in peace, Rick.
My sincerest sympathy to all his family and friends.

My sister and I remember Richard before he left England after his mother's death. Although we lost touch for a long time after that we were very pleased that he was able to visit us in York a few years ago. It was good to spent an albeit short time together. We were both very sorry indeed to hear of his sudden passing. We will miss him.

Richard était un homme de qualité. Je veux le saluer ici pour sa bravoure, son stoïcisme et sa force tranquille, sa présence à l'autre et sa foi en l'humain. Il disait vouloir développer son intelligence émotionnelle, mais il en avait déjà beaucoup. Je ne connaissais pas tous ses rêves et je suis sure qu'il en avait déjà réalisés beaucoup avant que je le connaisse.  Mais je sais au moins que pendant la dernière année de sa vie en a réalisé deux très importants. Il est allée en Afrique voir ceux qu'il aimait tellement et qu'il avait toujours rêvé de rencontrer; les grands singes dans leur milieu sauvage. Il a longtemps cherché l'amour de l'âme soeur et je crois qu'il a eu la chance de le rencontrer. Son parcours de vie m'émerveillait pour la croissance personnelle qu'il a réalisé. J'ai beaucoup appris de lui. 
Merci Richard, tu m'as fait grandir...

Richard kindly looked us up a couple of times when visited  England.  He always took a keen interest in the family and especially our daughters when they were younger, a great listener.  Richard and I would play together in the mid fifties, and while we would lose touch for several years it was always good to meet up again.  It was a real shock to hear of his passing. He will be sadly missed.

Rick was a great friend and skiing buddy during my years in Montreal from 1976 to 1981.  I was saddened by the news of his passing.  He was a great human being and didn't deserve to leave this earth so young .

Ken Devlin
Beverly Hills Ca.

I always wanted to be the best of myself around Richard. He brought it out with his absolutely honest and complete sharing of himself.

I was totally shocked to hear of Rick's passing. We had recently reconnected on Facebook and i had the chance to briefly see him this past summer. 
  Rick was a truly kind and caring soul. I do remember sharing a couple of cold ones with him on more than one occasion and talking about music.....it seems we had similar tastes at the time.
  One of the moments the still seems to be fresh in my mind is listening to Bruce Springsteen in his car while parked in the driveway at my parents home. I can still see us both singing away to Sprinsteins " Born to Run". How prophetic in Rick's case anyway.......a born runner, as i was always running away from trouble !!!!
  I do miss you Rick, and know that you left nothing but fond memories to everyone that had the pleasure to meet and know you. I am blessed to have known you.......
  My sympathy to all your family and friends. God bless you.

I have such good memories of my runs together with Richard, and the interesting conversations that we had.

The news of his passing makes me so sad and reminds me how precious and fragile life is.

From all the comments on our Boreal Runners Club Forum, I can say that Richard touched so many of us in unique ways, and that he was a very special soul.

You will be missed Richard.

My brothers and myself knew Richard mainly in England, up to the time when he moved across the Atlantic just after his mother's death. For several years our families lived just 2 doors away. 
We met up again whenever I visited Montreal, and he visited us in Switzerland several times. Of course we even ran the course of a 17k uphill race together - and drank too much beer afterwards, putting the world right.
A great human being, intense and sensitive, and an optimist in spite of several hard knocks during his life.
I am sure there are a few decent hills in paradise for him to run up.
Au revoir Rick - Rog

I am so saddened to hear of Rick's death. It is a shock to me for I had recently reconnected with him at my husband's funeral 5 months. We were to keep in contact.

Rick was a great friend whom Peter and I met during our university years. He was so much fun to be around with - his zest and interest in life.

Rick introduced us to the music of Bruce Springsteen when all three of us went to see him at a concert in Montreal in the early 70's. I was hooked on Springsteen! Thanks, Rick!

I am so sorry that I will not be able to continue our friendship on this earth! Rick, thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your life!

Rest in peace!

Donna

Sincere condolences to Richard's family and friends.

Paul Gantous, Boreal Running Club

Rick, you were the sweetest, most gentle man. The last time we were in touch was Christmas; I still can't believe you're gone. Too soon, way too soon. Love always,

It was an absolute pleasure to personally share, on many occasions, my good friend Rich's boundless enthusiasm for our beloved Manchester United and also his musical hero, Eric Clapton.  
All of Rich's friends from Marin County, California will miss him.  
How very sad.  (Doug Wright - Manchester UK and San Rafael, CA)

I met Richard at the Running Room.  We had many Wednesdays running the hills of Westmount.  He was an accomplished runner and and kind, gentle and interesting man.

It's my birthday today, and you've been gone for more than a week now, and I'm still in a state of shock. I'm glad that you accomplished so many of the things you set out to do and found joy in your final years. Darlene and I charish your memory...

To those who loved Rick, I can only say,  I think it was awesome he had a chance to bungee jump on his last trip to Africa. He seemed so proud of that awesome accomplishment. I am only sorry I didn't have the chance to know him better. I am at a loss and I am in total shock.
Rest in peace my Facebook friend :-) xo

Rick, You will always be missed by your friends in New York.

Rick, it was a pleasure knowing you and the good times spent in London during the Cream reunion week.  God bless.

I knew Rick when we were in Engineering at McGill, but had lost touch with him during the years he was in California. We reconnected in 2009 when he was considering returning to Montreal, and later after he moved. His passing is a shock, and I will miss our discussions on work, life, and philosophy.

I was very sorry to hear of Richard's unexpected (to me) passing. After a lifetime of experience as a dedicated runner, Richard had joined our Boreal Runners Club only a year ago. However, we were a better group to have had a chance to benefit from his knowledge as well as from his wit and extremely kind nature. We will very much miss our runs with you on Mont-Royal, Richard.

OBITUARY

Richard Batty

February 4, 1952 – January 7, 2012

Résidences funéraires Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes

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