RiP honkongphoie

**Caleb-HK** · 22nd July 2010, 11:57 PM

Hi Guys,

I hope you don't mind me posting on your forum but I needed to let you know that honkongphoie passed away yesterday morning at 04.50 after a relatively short but well fought battle with cancer.

I know that some of you had got to know him quite well through your shared love of boat building and I also knew that he loved posting updates and questions on here.

I remember one day when he first went to (his first of many trips to the) hospital how blown away he was that rob540 had called him all the way from OZ. It really moved him and made him realise what a strong and friendly community he'd joined.

For the people that spoke to him during the last 8 months, you'll remember a guy who had accepted what he had and dealt with it in a way I couldn't imagine was possible.

For people who've known him previously you'll remember a guy who was always happy to help, a great boat builder and a hilarious human being.

I feel absolutely honoured to have had him as my best mate for the last 22 or so years and I'm so grateful that our joint love of angling not only brought us together as mates but allowed us to spent so many hundreds and possibly thousands of hours together. He was like my older brother that I actually got on with.

Though I had no desire to build a boat, and believe me that it would be a disaster if I did, I could absolutely appreciate the effort that Richard had put in to each and every one of his magnificent creations, as could everyone around him. Many people just couldn't believe that he'd created them himself and, more so, used glue rather than nails.

So myself and I'm sure the rest of his family would like to thank you for being part of his life, though short at only 40 years, he made the most of it and created his dreams with his magnificent boat building talent and some great advice from you guys.

Long live his legacy.

Caleb

**b.o.a.t.** · 23rd July 2010, 03:40 AM

Thanks Caleb
We needed to know that. Suspected it was coming, but...

Whatever our loss, it is nothing compared with what you and others
close to him would be experiencing. We only experienced Richard's personality
through his (gifted) building & writing. I envy your broader & fuller friendship
with him.

My thoughts & prayer is with you & yours, & with Richard's family.
all the best
Alan J

**Dave Brewer** · 23rd July 2010, 08:59 AM

Richard will be sadly missed here.I echo Alan's sentiments,please accept my condolences and pass them on to his family.
Kindest regards,
Dave.

**jmk89** · 23rd July 2010, 10:09 AM

Caleb

thanks for letting us know about Richard.
His contributions were always upbeat and interesting and he will be missed. Please add my thoughts when you pass on those of other Forumites.

**rob540** · 23rd July 2010, 11:01 AM

No-one who had contact with Richard since his first indications of ill-health could have been anything but impressed, overwhelmed even, by his phenomenal positivity in the face of what seemed to be a torrent of worsening news. Some of us trod on egg shells trying to avoid being insensitive or intrusive, but he was happy to talk of his condition and remained determined to do what he could, refusing to abandon hope. Plans were adapted for the situation as it unfolded. I really appreciated the way that he never entirely let go of his creative ideas and aspirations.

It seems a bit trite to say that we'll miss a bloke that we never met, but I know it's true for some of us. I'll never forget some of the argy-bargy and fun that we had with him across several threads over a period of a few years. And despite the wonderful quality of his work, it was never about ego with Richard. He was inclusive and sensitive to the needs of others, and never blowing his own trumpet, but very quick indeed to trumpet the successes and joys of others.

I for one always felt relieved if Richard responded to a post. He was the sort of 'unseen reader' that I always had in mind when posting, because it could become a conversation worth giving a bit of thought to. Much more in my humble opinion than merely exchanging technical tips.

Caleb has lost a terrific mate, and his fishing will never be the same. Thanks very much Caleb for taking the time to tell his boat building mates how it all unfolded.- And for offering to convey to Richard's other loved-ones our collective sadness in and sympathy to you for his loss.
Rob

**m2c1Iw** · 23rd July 2010, 11:23 AM

Thankyou Caleb,
I am deeply saddened by the news and echo the comments in the other posts and thanks Rob well said.

Kind regards

**PAR** · 23rd July 2010, 02:30 PM

. . . damn

**rob540** · 23rd July 2010, 05:56 PM

Richard

**Darce** · 24th July 2010, 12:06 AM

He'll be fine up there, they were all fisherman once.

My condolences

**Caleb-HK** · 24th July 2010, 12:12 AM

Thank you everyone for your very kind words.

If anyone wants me to represent them at his funeral, this Tuesday 27 July 2010 then please either PM me or add your name below and I will post up the write up when it is printed in a month or two.

Cheers,

Caleb

Ps. Rob, I'll reply to your message in the next few days

**HOOKED.UP** · 24th July 2010, 12:21 AM

Sadly missed by us all.

Paul.

**Boatmik** · 27th July 2010, 12:22 PM

Sad to lose a Good 'un!

Best wishes to his family and friends
Michael

**Joost** · 27th July 2010, 06:59 PM

I was very much saddened when I read the news. It left me quite for the remainder of the evening.

Richard's posts were witty and showed great insight in what he was doing. I followed the build of his Yellowtail especially with great interest as he was obviously very talented at boatbuilding and was able to write about his exploits in a high-spirited way.

Please accept my sympathies and pass them on to family and friends.

Best regards,

Joost

**igatenby** · 16th August 2010, 06:44 PM

Bloody hell.... I'm shattered. I haven't been around for a few months and didn't even know he was sick.

RIP mate.

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RiP honkongphoie

I'm very sorry to read this news Caleb,

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