REMEMBERING RAYMOND
September 18, 2019
I remember Ray as a kind and gentle person who I worked with in various settings over the years. The last time I saw him was when he and Elaine came through Singapore some ten or 15 years ago. We were catching up on what each of us was doing and I remember him talking about the work they were doing with people suffering from drug addiction. Regards,
~~ Dharma Vinasithamby
I remember Ray’s quiet demeanor, calming in our little storms, plus his kindness. I join in the celebration in spirit.
~~ Sunny Walker
I always will remember some years ago when Raymond and Elaine contacted us out of the blue wanting to stop and visit, when so many don’t think of Tacoma as part of their travels. It was a wonderful experience seeing Ray and Elaine after so many years. I shall miss Raymond, as I have missed Elaine.
We are finding that when we meet friends from the Order, even after 25 years, it seems like NO years have passed. There is some kind of bond that is filled with so much context and experience that little time is spent trying to get “re-acquainted”. More and more I find visits with friends refreshing my spirit, especially those from our ICA days. At least for me, our most wonderful trips have been where we’ve enjoyed such visits! And the idea of traveling becomes more centered around where friends are located. Personally, I’d like to see them before they (or we) are gone. With affection,
~~ Del Morrill
It is with sadness, yet deep appreciation for a life well-lived, that Joe and I acknowledge the departing from us of Ray Richmond into the community of saints. He and his first wife, Malina, were among the many Aussie pioneers who helped our staff to “pull off” the first ITI in Singapore in July/August of 1969. He and his second wife, Elaine, accomplished amazing healing between the “first peoples” of Australia and the westerners who came later at great cost to the indigenous gifts and cultures of the native peoples. We celebrate the many gifts Ray’s life represented to local, regional, national and global colleagues, all of whom have been enriched by having encountered his passion and compassion. Grace, peace and love,
~~ Marilyn and Joe Crocker
Ray and Elaine were pillars of the ICA in Australia and globally, since the beginning.
~~ Robyn Hutchinson
We were blessed to have the opportunity to work closely with Ray and Elaine over many years – both passionate about caring for the lost & lonely. Jon Owen who is the current pastor at the Wayside Chapel has included a tribute to Ray’s work in the Wayside newsletter:
” Ray was Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel from 1991 – 2004, prior to Reverend Graham Long. A kind and loving pioneer, he was instrumental in demanding change in the area of drug treatment in the ’90s, when Kings Cross was caught in the midst of a heroin boom. He was stirred to action by the countless lives lost from drug overdoses and established a safe injecting room known as ‘The Tolerance Room’ where drug users were allowed to safely inject. This was an act of civil disobedience that even saw Ray arrested, yet didn’t deter him from persevering with his vision. Reverend Ray Richmond’s actions, along with widespread support from our community, led to a change in state legislation and the subsequent approval and opening of the first medically supervised injecting centre (MSIC), which still stands today on Darlinghurst Rd. All of us at Wayside owe a debt of gratitude to Ray. He will be greatly missed.” May he rest in peace.
~~ John and Elaine Telford
