[Steve Bucknell]

Dear friends,

I have to pass on the sad news that Richard died on Wednesday the 1st of May this month. Over recent months he had become increasingly frail and had moved to a nursing home in London.

I know that many of you here on the Sphere enjoyed the dicovery of his verse with me, and Richard was so pleased to find some of his newest poems published in the Inaugural Print Edition of Ablemuse.

I still have some of his novels left to read, so I can look forward to being in his erudite, witty and playful presence again. I will miss him reciting Dante to me and ordering me to learn Italian!

Steve.

[Janice D. Soderling]

Thank you, Steve, for posting this.

He was a witty and erudite poet, and I am sorry to learn that he has died.

Thanks to you, the Sphere community learned about him and his work. I bought a used anthology when last in the states solely because he had work in it. His poetry still lives.

[Cally Conan-Davies]

Oh, Steve . . .

Your Lister Quest was a most exciting time on the Sphere. Thank you for all you did, for him and for us, and thank the whole universe for R.P. Lister's existence.

I hope those with one of his books at hand will write out a few of his poems in celebration!

Cally

[Ann Drysdale]

I am sorry to hear it. I am sure, though, that you gave him a great deal of pleasure with your friendship and company, and your introducing him to us spread the joy further. Thank you - both.

[Maryann Corbett]

Sad news. Thank you, Steve, for bringing him and his work to us, and for the pleasure I'm sure you gave to him.

[Rob Wright]

Sad news indeed, Steve. Sorry for your loss. This is indeed a loss for us all.

[Jayne Osborn]

Oh, Steve, this is very sad news.

I'll never forget meeting Richard when I went to a reading of his work in London not so long ago, and having my photo taken with him. I also have a signed copy of The Idle Demon to treasure!

He was a very clever man, aside from being a good poet, and it's a real pity he didn't get to celebrate his 100th birthday in November.

Jayne

[John Whitworth]

I am sorry to hear it. I have a book of his, the one Jayne has, which contains more genuine poetry than... but comparisons are odious. I miss a man I never met.

[Gregory Dowling]

Sad news. Thanks, Steve, for introducing R.P.L. to this community and also to the readers of Able Muse. It would be great now to have a Selected Poems (or even a Collected). There, that's your next task.

[Janice D. Soderling]

What Gregory said.