Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know. I would hate to have found out later that I had unwittingly neglected someone so important to Mr. Hickox.

Your tribute echoes the sentiments of many others I’ve read. It sounds as though a rather large hole will be left in the musical community of two countries.

I am a recent colleague of Richard’s and am just devastated by this news. We were to work together more in the new year, which was something I was looking forward to immensely, as he was a joy. I always learnt something either through working with him, talking with him, or even just listening to him talk to other people.

I know you’ve got your facts from news reports doing the rounds at the moment, but I wonder if you would allow me the indulgence of a gentle correction? Richard is survived by three children. He has two young children with the lovely Pamela Helen Stephen, and a third older son (Tom) from a previous marriage. They were still very much a part of each others lives. I don’t know Tom, but I find myself being heartbroken on Tom’s behalf that he’s been neglected in reports, so I hope you’ll allow me to mention this.