EF Richards, Frank (1947 – 2024)
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Frank Richards, a long-time and dedicated member of our school community, who contributed greatly as a pupil, parent, and member of the Rydal Penrhos Society.
Frank attended Rydal Prep School from 1955 to 1960, and then Rydal School from 1960 to 1966. During his time at the Senior School, Frank was a prefect, a member of the 2nd XV Rugby team, a member of Crusaders House, and boarded at Hathaway under Frank Pilling.
After leaving school, Frank taught for a year at Terra Nova Prep School before reading Law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Following a PGCE at Crewe Training College in 1970-71, he was appointed as an assistant master at Wellington College in Berkshire in September 1971. In 1977, he became Housemaster of The Murray, a position he held for fifteen years before becoming Senior Tutor in 1992 and, in 1997, Senior Master.
In 2001, he took early retirement due to ill health and returned to Colwyn Bay with his wife Pam and daughter Elizabeth, living in Rhos on Sea.
Frank soon became involved with Rydal Penrhos again and for many years assisted Mike Leach in the Richards Room, producing many Society newsletters and other materials. He also worked with Robert Tickner in the archives and was responsible for the publication of two booklets: ‘Rydal Penrhos, a Dramatic Story’ and ‘Rydal and Penrhos during the Great War’.
During this time, Frank was also centrally involved in the production of several information boards outlining significant events and people in the school’s history. He did an enormous amount of work digitising and cataloguing a vast number of photographs for the school’s archives.
Frank also supported the school’s Marketing Department, acting as photographer for events and productions. In 2004, he assisted David Edwards in the re-introduction of the school magazine, which had been in hiatus since the merger with Penrhos onto one site in 1999. Frank designed the magazine and assisted David in the editing and production for several years.
As Frank’s health deteriorated, he was unable to be actively involved, but he always maintained a devoted interest in everything to do with Rydal Penrhos and was always pleased to receive visits from old school friends.
For those wishing to pay their respects to Frank, his funeral service will take place on Tuesday 16 July at 11:30 in St John’s Church, Colwyn Bay, followed by a committal at the Crematorium at 12:30 and then refreshments at the school, to which all are invited.
Rydal Penrhos extends its heartfelt condolences to all of Frank’s family, friends, and loved ones. Frank will be greatly missed, but his legacy and contributions to our Rydal Penrhos community will be felt for many years to come.
