John Richards

by Dr. Iain Corness

John Richards, the affable Aussie, is no longer with us. After a very short illness, he passed away in hospital, leaving many people wondering just what had happened to this man. A person who had been an integral part of the local scene in Pattaya for many years.
Prior to coming to Pattaya, he had been involved in the fast food industry in Australia, rising to managerial positions and then in to the pest control industry, which was why he came to Bangkok to run an international office in the nation’s capital. In turn, expansion of this brought him to Pattaya, where he could see that the future was in real estate, rather than exterminating bugs, and he joined the Northern Thai group. He also met his Thai wife Porn, and took on the responsibilities of conjugal life.
John was a quiet achiever. He did not look to be in the forefront but enjoyed helping others, so he joined the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club. His abilities and warm heartedness were recognized by his fellow Rotarians and after much cajoling he was voted in as president in 1998, his year in the post being one of deep involvement in local charities. Typical of John, he had to be forced to write an address for the club magazine, as he did not want people to think he was blowing his own trumpet, but eventually wrote, “This Rotary year has gone by fast, the continuing success of the club’s involvement in the community has been ongoing. We have accomplished many new activities this year. With the Inter-City meeting, GSE Team from Scotland, new Sister Club from Pranari, involvement and development of the United Charities of the Eastern Seaboard and the new Road Safety Project, are just some of our achievements this year. I have enjoyed the challenge of the position as President, it is a once in a lifetime experience for any person, the personal growth and understanding in this position makes it all worthwhile. I would like to thank all those Rotarians who assisted me and all the club projects throughout my year as President.” Note that he never said “I” did it anywhere, even though he was the leading force in the club during that year. He did not possess a big ego.
John was also an Aussie through and through. He was actually no stranger to ill-health, having had a coronary artery bypass graft done in Australia in 1987. This he jokingly put down to his years in the fast food industry. However, he had the “She’ll be right, Mate” attitude for which Australians are known, despite what disasters life might have thrown in his face. It was that laugh and a self-deprecating smile that got him through the next major medical hurdle - a stroke he suffered in July 1999. An acute and severe stroke, which made it look as if this time it really was the end for John Richards, but saw many people rally around to help. It had left him paralyzed down his right side and unable to speak more than a few words. Following Intensive Care treatment and physical rehabilitation therapy at the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital he improved to the extent that he could at least walk and feed himself again, but he was a shadow of his former cheerful self, being unable to read or speak properly.
Unfortunately, the response with speech and word recognition was slow. Consequently the decision was made, in conjunction with John’s son Brendan Richards in Pattaya and his daughter Virginia in Australia, to repatriate him back to Australia where this type of intensive speech therapy could be procured. As John required a medical escort for the trip, the Pattaya Mail’s Mirin MacCarthy, who was a trained nursing sister, volunteered to take him, as well as co-ordinate medical referrals in Brisbane.
Those who had known John said their farewells as he left to return to Australia, firmly believing that he would never be back, let alone ever work again. John Richards was destined to be an invalid pensioner, and see out the rest of his days in Australia! However, this was not John Richard’s idea. John and his “she’ll be right” attitude remained, so much so that he requested an open air ticket to return. This was given to him, but nobody believed it would ever be used. He was to prove everyone wrong.
Not only did he return, but he re-entered the workforce selling real estate, joining Premier Homes, whose principal Clayton Wade was prepared to give him the chance. It was difficult for John at first. The speech was very hesitant making a life in sales very difficult, and he still had a noticeable weakness in his right side, but he persevered. He was that sort of bloke, to use the Australian term, which really did describe John Richards, and he was a “good bloke” too.
John remained the affable Aussie and would be seen at functions having an ale, enjoying the company of his son Brendan and other members of the local community. He had no need for personal riches or the trappings of success. John Richards was a man of the people, and was happy to be just one of the group. He has left us quietly, but he remains in the memory of many, including Pattaya citizens, both Thai and expatriate, plus his many friends in Australia.
She’ll be right, Mate. You’ll never be forgotten!

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