RICHARD DICKENS.; March 12, 1942 ~ March 22, 2009 With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of our beloved "Dick", extraordinary teacher, musician, humanitarian, brother and friend. Dick lived his life with exuberance and the profound belief in the elixir created by large doses of music mixed with positive thought and action. He never met a student he did not have time for or an enquiring mind he did not try to encourage. He found the lack of adequate funding for public education unacceptable in our rich society and spent countless hours working with others for a more truly inclusive society. Born in Los Angeles, California, Dick emigrated to Canada with parents Samuel and Ethel, and sister Dian, in October 1956. Graduating with U.B.C.'s first class of the newly created faculty of music in 1964, Dick began what was to become a most distinguished career as a music teacher, first in Revelstoke before settling in Kamloops, B.C. Dick was not only a teacher but a strong advocate for music and the art in the Kamloops area and received considerable support and recognition for his role. He was awarded a life-time honorary membership in the B.C. Music Educators Association and was honoured by the Association as Teacher of the Year, for which he was justifiably proud. Avid reader, sports enthusiast, farmer, jokester, political activist, Dick raised the bar for us all and lent grace to the word teacher. He could not defeat the ravages of diabetes however. <B> His passing leaves a great void. </B> <B> His memory will be forever cherished. </B> Dick is survived by his sister Dian and brother-in-law James Dougan of Nanaimo and long time close friends, Cliff and Barbara Noakes, Jack and Diane Buckham, and their families, for whom Dick was adopted uncle. A Celebration of Dick's life will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009 in the Sagebrush Theatre, 1300 9th Ave., Kamloops, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Research or the Kamloops Foundation, Richard Dickens Music Scholarship Fund. Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be emailed to the family from http://www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com