Richard came to Alleyn’s from Peckham, the posh side, where his father ran a very successful florist’s business, and they lived over the very nice shop.
An interesting character; Richard played violin in the school orchestra, and the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. He was a success in the shooting VIII, and memorably played Malvolio in the School play. The Times educational supplement remarked that his talents would be more suited to the Goon Show than Shakespeare! A little unkind, probably true, but what’s not to like about the Goon Show?
When he left School, he joined the Rootes Group at their Piccadilly showroom, but finding the work less than exciting or exacting he moved to the then just legalised “casino” business. He had an ability with people and numbers, and swiftly moved from croupier to pit boss; ultimately working in a number of the recently licensed clubs. The last club he worked for in London was the Playboy, where he trained Bunnies in Roulette and Blackjack. Well someone had to do it!
In 1978 Playboy opened a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Richard relocated there to help open the casino, and train new staff. In the mid 1980s he went to Sun City South Africa to work for Sun International. He later worked in Yugoslavia, which he had a narrow escape from when war broke out!
He finally ended up based in Las Vegas along with his wife of 53 years, Rosemary and some of their children. The company there would send him to help the Native Americans set up casinos on their reservations and later audit them. Most notably the Sioux in North Dakota and the Tigua in El Paso. The auditing was monthly rather than annual, and Dick eventually left the company, and worked for himself just travelling around auditing the casinos.
Richard died in Las Vegas, hence this tardy obit.
Alan Whitten (Tyson’s 1960)
Junior School Open Day
The next Alleyn's Junior School Open Event is from 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. There will be a Head's Talk at 1.40pm after which you will be offered a tour of the school with a pupil. There is no need to book a place at this Open Event - everyone is welcome.
Last updated on 20 05 24 at 09:12
.jpg)
