Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Former GVR President Richard “Dick” Lawrence Richards passed away in June. He was 89. 

Dick was born in Kingston, Jamaica. His family had moved there from England five generations prior. After he graduated high school, he worked for Shell Oil around the West Indies before moving to Vancouver in 1956.  

He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1960 and became a chartered accountant in 1964. Shortly after that, he joined MacKenzie Management Ltd., a small real estate developer and eventually bought out control of the company.  

After 20 successful years managing MacKenzie's commercial brokerage and property management operations, he sold the company to Colliers International and took a position with them as the Senior Vice President of their Real Estate Management Services Canadian Division. 

"A lifelong volunteer, Dick served on the GVR Board of Directors, becoming President in 1976. During his tenure, our iconic Vancouver picture book Through the Lion’s Gate was celebrated at a United Nations conference held in Vancouver that year. His presidency also oversaw the installation of GVR’s first computer system, called SAM, that processed listing work, membership rolls, and MLS® statistics."

He also volunteered with other real estate organizations, as well as at the Regent College at UBC, World Vision and VisionFund, the Lisims Fisheries Conservation Trust, the Nature Trust of BC, and the Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller, a partner in the development of the St. John Hospice at UBC.  

Dick’s interests outside of his business and volunteering included fishing, bird hunting, swimming, and reading. He was a dedicated family man, hosting countless gatherings at the family’s Secret Cove condo, pulling his kids and grandkids on inner tubes across the lake or “fishing” with them in the hot tub with toy rods and fish.  

He’s survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marilyn, whom he met on his first Sunday in Vancouver and married in 1961, their sons Dave (Sharon) and Rob, grandchildren Bethany (Matt), Will, Nathan, and Rianna, and great-granddaughter Payton. 

He’s also survived by his younger sister Judy (Douglas Cover), and was pre-deceased by his youngest sibling, Harry, and Harry's wife, Bev. He will be fondly remembered as Uncle Dick to nieces, nephews, and dear friends' children. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to World Vision Canada, a cause close to Dick’s heart.

Celebration of life

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 1 pm, St John’s Vancouver Anglican Church, 5350 Baillie Street, Vancouver. A reception will follow. The family asks that anyone who wishes to attend the reception RSVP at dick@richardsfam.com.