The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

Co-admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 1811

It is with deep regret that I inform the RM Band community that the former PDM Lt Col Dr. Richard Waterer OBE MVO Royal Marines (Ret.) passed away Monday night 09 Jan / Tuesday morning 10 Jan 2006 at his residence on the Valley Forge campus.

Our thoughts are with Sue and the family at this very difficult time.

Funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as they are known.

Rest in peace Sir...
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The Royal Marines Band Service on line

Pusser · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:11 am Post subject:

I served with Richard in the Staff Band and Ark Royal Band.

Richard was a remarkable musician possessed of considerable knowledge and skill. Always calm, modest and unruffled with a keen sense of humour and delightful good manners. I watched his rise to the top of the Band Service with admiration.

Following his well earned Commission he remained always ready to greet fellow 'Ship Mates' with a smile and handshake.

Good times, Richard. Good times.
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Pusser!

Stellavision · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:24 am Post subject:

I am very shocked by this news.

I only worked with Richard Waterer as PDM a few times, but it was always a pleasure. He was very good at his job and a very nice man. My thoughts go out to his family.
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Oh no... Aunty Stella is after me again!!!

revhitchins

No doubt everyone, like me, will be shocked and in disbelief at such unexpected news.
So many good memories of our time together as musicians at Deal, it's hard to pick any succinct thing to say just now; except that I will always think of him in association with generosity of spirit, a smile, great trombone player, but mostly, a true gentleman.
Sue, my sincere condolences and assurances of prayers thanking God for Richard's life. There will be a candle burning for him this week at the RM Commando Logistic Regiment's church.

Graham Hitchins
(staff band 73-78)
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Graham Hitchins

Baby Bug · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject: Very Sad

Mr. Waterer was PDM when I was in. He was very kind to me when I applied for my discharge and this news is very unexpected.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

joe90 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

A very sad loss, Richard was very helpful to me during the brief time we were in the wing together when I changed over to Trombone. Sadly, I never got to serve with him thereafter but he was most gracious providing me with references after I retired in '92.
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Waving, not drowning

General Melchett · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject:

Tragic news indeed, Richard was my ADOM(T) to start my career and then my Boss at FLEET after Mick Goss had retired. A great and musical Boss (the exception, rather than the rule) a forward looking PDM who took the Band Service forward as the premiere Service Band, my condolences and best wishes to Sue and family. His legacy, thankfully is wide and varied, for me this is what I remember:
Playing Royal Salute on a carrier's lift entering a foreign port....
And Gibraltar, a man's march if ever there was

Jos
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I feel the need - The need for Tweed!

Chesterpfx · On audition Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1

I'm not an ex bandy but am an ex booty. Saddened to hear this news. I've had the good fotune to hear the bandies play under his direction and he certainly had flair aplenty.
He'll be sadly missed.

RoyKaighin · On audition Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Canada

Reading the comments from other members, I can only reiterate them. From my memory of Richard, he is ALL those good things. And many more.

Richard was a true, personable person. An Officer who chose not to loose sight and the caring of the Band members. He was someone you could easily talk to for advice, or a problem. He would always listen to your ideas, and respect them. Always a smile.

This is truly a great shock. I hope he didn’t suffer. He was still young , and still had much to offer life, and peoples lives around him. It’s amazing the effect that just one person can have on so many. Richard has touched all our lives of the community of the Royal Marines Band Service.

My prayers go to Sue. For support, guidance, strength, and the courage to go on. Spiritually, he never left you.

Thank you Richard, for ALL you have done for the Royal Marines Band Service, and for it’s members who were always in your heart.

Roy Kaighin

Ginge3685 · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:10 am Post subject:

I was with Richard in the boys wing at Deal. A great muscian will be missed condolences to his family. Ginge Ritsma RMB 3685.
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Ginge Ritsma ( Formerly Hammond) Rmb 3685

K.S.J.LEVER · On audition Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 9 Location: DERBY

I first met Richard in 1987 we met through Steve Misson, I had scored for brassband ROYAL SALUTE a wonderful piece of music that blended well for brassband, we became very good friends. After ROYAL SALUTE I scored his THE MAGNIFICENT MARINES after that came TOP MALO followed by GIBRALTAR, ESPIRIT DE CORPS, H.M.S.OCEAN, KING'S SQUAD all his music fitted the brassband style wonderfully. My family and I will miss him terribly our condolences go to Sue and the family, a friend who will be sadly missed. GOD BLESS YOU DICK YOU'LL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. Keith, Pat and Debbie Lever.

Nick B · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:

Dick Waterer, a Superb Man, Brilliant Musician and good Yachtsman. I had the privelage to serve with Him as my Boss at Fleet, Dartmouth and Deal.
He will be sadly missed. Sue, our deepest sympathy.

Nick & Pat Buckley
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Still driving trains around in circles! (and a bit further now)

sticky blue · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:16 pm Post subject:

Although I never served with Richard, his reputation was well known throughout the Band service with both past and serving members, his reputation preceded him. My deepest condolences go to his family at this very sad time - Non omnis moriar
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Malcolm (Tommo) Thomas ex sticky blue
An advantage of growing old is that flossing your tooth takes much less time

evs131 · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:03 pm Post subject:

Lt Col Richard Waterer was a first class musician and boss. I served with him many times and every time was a pleasure. He was a peoples man and never became flustered at anything. He will be missed a great deal and all my good wishes go out to Sue and the family. The whole of the Band Service past and present who knew him are thinking of you at this very sad time.

David Thornber · On audition Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Gosport

It was with great shock that I learnt about the passing of Richard Waterer and send my deepest sympathies to Sue and the family.

I first met Richard when he joined training company as trombone instructor back in 1976/7. He was a breath of spring air and brought his own brand of professionalism and dedication to the class that I am sure stood us all in good stead.

I was fortunate to sit next to Richard when I joined Staff Band. Although I was in the hot seat, I learnt so much about the job by his example. You could not find a more reliable person to have along side you.

Richard had a great sound and never missed an entry - he also dug me out of a few scrapes. I remember at one concert in London that I had a solo to do in the second half. It had been a heavy blow and by the time the solo arrived was totally out of lip. Richard was a real trooper and without hesitation stood up and covered the solo for me - much to Jim Mason's surprise.

Our paths crossed again in Fleet band and finally in Portsmouth band before I retired to join the World of Higher Education.

Richard always took great interest in my career after the mob and I met him on a few occasions. It gave me a particular buzz to see Richard receive his honorary doctorate from the University of Portsmouth. A fitting reward for someone of Richard’s talent.

A kinder, patient and more generous man could not be found and I will certainly miss him. Rest in Peace.
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David Thornber
Head of International Recruitment
Student Recruitment and Marketing
University of Winchester
West Hill
Winchester
SO22 4NR
England

Tel: +44 (0) 1962 827586
Fax: +44 (0) 01962 827548