Something that I never knew about Richard. 

Our birthday is on the same day!

Richard,  was who turned me on to surfing in 1966.

In Fort Lauderdale. Moved with family in 68 to Ocean City NJ.  Still in high school and surfed full-time. 

In 1973 was rated 4A, on the  Eastern Surfing Association. Professional level.

Thanks to Richard for coming to get me in his trickster. Taking me my first time.  I was hooked.

In 1973 was President of Greenback Surf Club. Surfing gave me the passion, to go on and become Master Shipwright. 

Thank you, 

Richard. Peace to your spirit!

I knew Richard as Dick Leach, in the mid 60s. Dick Art Dance and I,were good friends. I grew up on Guava Isle, off 9th Avenue. 

To keep it short. Dick bought a truckster. Shows up at my house, with a surfboard on top and says, lets go! I had 2 boats and Dick knew that I was a water freak.

We get to the beach and he paddles out first. Watched him catch and ride a couple waves.

He comes in and hands me this giant longboard and says, try it!

At 13 I paddle out and catch my first wave. I never forgot it! Why? I rode it straight in to the beach and I was hooked. At 19 I was surfing in 4A contests and running a surf shop in Ocean City NJ. 

Thank you, Richard and may you rest in peace, brother. MANY GREAT TIMES!

💜🙏🦅love you uncle Dick, fly high,wish I was around more. I will always cherish the massive lobster claw you gave me and the story behind it, you always kept my shark drawing from years ago, and that meant a lot to me. I also loved watching you work on furniture in your garage and show me progress and how passionate you were about it it was inspiring ,i’ll be out fishing on a boat in the Bahamas soon and you’ll be on my mind. 

Love your nephew, Chris.