25 Comments

I enjoyed many a lunch with Richard. He was a fabulous man - funny, articulate, enthusiastic, loyal and controversial. A perfect contact for any journalist really. He loved a good gossip but he also loved his job and discussing the place and value of design in the world. He was rightly proud of Williams Murray Hamm's success.
It's an absolutely tragic loss for his family, friends, colleagues and the creative community at large.
Jane Bainbridge
2010-03-15 14:53:45

I was lucky enough to have met richard and found his openess and down to earth nature very engaging..he,garrick and richard williams have built a great brand and a lovely place to work...he will be sadly missed...sanky.
sanky
2010-03-16 13:29:39

I think that the Creative Review must do a special article or a great review about Murray´s professional life.
Paulo Fava
2010-03-16 13:31:23

I'm really upset to hear this news. I didn't know him at all but he did a talk at Norwich School of Art and Design that was very inspiring to me as a student. I still remember bits of the advice he gave us when I'm working now. A review/article in CR is a great idea. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Frances Faulder
2010-03-16 14:35:51

I am very sad to hear this news - Richard is a former colleague (from Lewis Moberly days) and more recently one of the creative brains behind the wonderful Divine Chocolate rebranding. One of many great designs he helped develop at WMH.
Charlotte Borger
2010-03-16 14:38:23

I didˆn’t know Richard personally but sometimes you feel you know someone when you follow their careers over time. It’s always very sad when we lose someone at such a young age.
yashar
2010-03-16 15:17:58

I am completely shocked and saddended to hear the news of Richards death. He was one of the most creative and certainly interesting marketeers I have ever worked with. We shared some good times and on occasions, not such good times.
He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Colin Porter
Colin Porter
2010-03-16 15:38:45

I am shocked by this sad news. I was fortunate enough to work with Richard at Coley Porter Bell and I will remember him for making me laugh on many occasions, for his creativity and for his friendship. He will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
David Slimings
2010-03-16 17:18:00

My heart goes out to Richard and those he had to leave behind. With great fondness I remember his wit, some crazy times and his willingness to help. You shan't be forgotten.
Sonja Frick
2010-03-16 20:11:03

I am deeply saddened by the news of Richard's death. He was very supportive of ImaginationLancaster and Lancaster University, and came to present his work to our students and meet with staff. We will greatly miss his imaginative ideas, his humour and his counsel.

Stuart Walker
Stuart Walker
2010-03-17 08:49:24

This is a sad day for the design world. I remember Richard so well, even though it's nearly 2 decades since we worked together at CPB. He epitomized those fun and inspired days of design.
Janice Pedley
2010-03-17 15:59:28

I still can't quite believe he's not in this world anymore. I am thinking of his wife and little girl at this time.
Lisa Ridgley
2010-03-17 20:39:02

I was very shocked and saddened to hear this news. I worked with Richard at Coley Porter Bell and he was a fantastic person to work with - funny, inspiring, clever, just brilliant to have around. I was so glad to see the success that he had with his own agency and would like to send a lot of love to his family at this really difficult time.
Lucy Davison
Lucy Davison
2010-03-18 11:57:00

Having worked recently in Mr Murrays house as a painter and decorator I was privalaged for the time I spent
with him and his family, a short and fasinating time to share with a loverly man.
Thank you Richard I will treasure having worked for you always.
Mitch Blick.
Mitchell Blick
2010-03-18 21:00:02

The news of Richard's death has come as a great shock. I was at Coley Porter Bell for a few year's at the same time as Richard, I didn't get to know him well as I worked in a different department, but when we all socialised together (as often happened on a balmy summer evening), Richard was always so vibrant, full of life and right in the middle of things. He will be sadly missed. My condolences go out to his family.
Mark Grove
2010-03-19 14:47:34

I have met Richard, many, many times usually at social events, he lit up a room and was genuinely a design hero, my thoughts are with his amazing wife Ali my ex creative director at Coley Porter Bell.
Adam Ellis
2010-03-19 14:48:45

I was so sad to hear this news. I worked closely with Richard during our CPB years (I was Kate Irving then and we were promoted to the Board together). Much has been said about Richard's stellar abilities and achievements but I would like to mark his sense of humour and his beautiful soul.

He was never afraid to parody himself - 'Lard-o-meter' anyone? - and others - the 'Vague' spoof at our Christmas party in Bermondsey was so unbelievably cheeky I'm not sure how he got away with it! But he did get away with it every time, because we loved him.

As to his soul. Well, that was truly beautiful and generous, and I am sure that it continue to shine through his daughter and through everyone he touched...
Kate Burton
2010-03-21 10:00:15

I am really shocked at this news - Richard worked with me as an Assistant Brand Manager in Nestle UK Ltd: his astonishing creativity shone through at this very early stage of his career. I last bumped into him at some industry conference a few years ago.

I would like to remember his incredibly filthy laugh, his really naughty sense of mischief and the fact that he was able to bring real creativity to his work in the canned pasta category (which was a miracle at the time!) He was unique - and they broke the mould when he was born.

He was a very special individual, and my condolences go to his wife and his young family.
Irene Donaldson
2010-03-22 12:43:21

Richard supported us at ImaginationLancaster from the beginning, was a wonderful, insightful person. It was so great to see him in November at the Prince Philip Design Awards. Richard will be missed not only for what he has done but for everything he could have done. My sincere condolences to his family.
Rachel Cooper
rachel Cooper
2010-03-23 08:26:39

Thank you so much for all the cards, letters, emails we have received and for the comments on CR site. We are deeply touched by all of these. I married an amazing person and it is so lovely to see the impact he made on so many different people. I am keeping them all for our daughter Lila so she can see what people thought of her Daddy.
With much love
Allison Murray (nee Miguel)
Allison Murray
2010-03-24 16:52:14

I was very sad to hear of Richards Passing. I was his student host through the AGIdeas Design Conference Australia. although knowing him for a short time, his wit, kindness and laugh I will always remember.
I would like to express my condolences to his wife and his young family.
Jacob
2010-03-26 05:18:38

I was very sad to hear about Richard passing away. I had no idea he was ill and always enjoyed my chats with him at industry events, where we shared many good stories and entertaining tales. Not only was he talented at his job, he always seemed like a lovely person.

Richard was also kind enough to talk to me for articles I was writing on many occasions. I would like to add my condolences to the long list above.
Ruth Mortimer
2010-04-01 16:40:15

We were so sad to here the news of Richards passing.

He was the best dad and the most charming host I have ever met.

We really feel deep sadness for both of you.
Richard was a warm and lovely person who always made you feel welcome.
He will be missed and treasured by Alison & Lila knowing that the short time they had created enough love for a lifetime.
Mark Cooper
2010-04-14 22:21:43

Alison & Lila....
We were both so shocked to find this page. Please accept our sincerest condolences !
Richard & I (JAS) were at school together in Northumberland & later on at different stages at Bath Lane Newcastle Upon Tyne even Cecil Gee as Saturday staff 25 yrs ago.
We all moved to London together at the end of the 80's when He started at L.Moberly.
Richard (Dickie) spoke so memorably at our wedding as a Best Man in '92.
Unstoppable in passion. Blessed with an overwhelming intellect. His creativity, charm. thoughtfulness and incredible whit were just some of the shining qualities that made Him such a good friend back then.
R.I.P Dickie...Francesca & Jonathan
JONATHAN AMERY STORRS & FRANCESCA BATTISTI-DAVIES
2010-05-26 16:12:01

I was very shocked and sad to find out about Richard passing away. I had no idea he was ill. I worked at WMH (or as it was then WMB) a long time ago, in fact when they were just starting up in offices above Heals. Richard was brilliant to work for - hilariously funny, creative, kind and understanding. I loved every minute of my time there and looked forward to every day and what new nickname the two Richards would have thought up for me! He was a lovely, lovely guy and I'm sure will be sorely missed by everyone, especially his work colleagues.
Jenny Abri
2010-05-29 12:59:16

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