Richard was a man who knew his own mind and a man who knew better than anyone how to do his job. He was one of the most professional people I ever had the pleasure of working with and he has had a greater influence on the longstanding good fortunes of DAF Trucks than most will ever know. He was one of very few whose truck preparation and driving skills were a true vocation, consistently striving for the highest standards in the way he worked and the way he behaved. He was able to impress and  inspire others - an expert on how to “tutor” less proficient drivers with advice about getting the most out the truck using the least fuel. Regular advice included “close that window”, “just let her roll a bit” or even “turn the radio off” in the quest for better fuel economy such that he was known by many of the truck press as ‘Mr Grumpy’ although in reality we all knew he was the complete opposite with that infectious laugh. The lasting memory from working with Richard is one of huge respect, for what he did, what he achieved in hundreds of road tests, and how he was in everyday life.