dougcooke.com

In Memory of
Anthony Richard Dawson

1969-2001

Richard lived a fulfilled life, one full of family, friends, food, drink, sleep, and good times. He was a man’s man: one who men wanted to be, and women wanted to be with. Despite his many admirers, he had a strong work ethic, and enjoyed a fine career. He was said by some to have singlehandedly kept the wheels of the economy turning, which may have been true, considering the downturn the economy took without him.

Richard’s career began by earning a degree in electronics with distinction at Southampton University. He became a competent software engineer for many years before realizing that he not only had sound technical knowledge, but sharp business acumen. He ascended into project management and then became a Product Manager, where he could fully combine excellent communication and marketing skills with his vast technical insight. He was a strong leader and speaker, who rightly earned the respect of colleagues, superiors and subordinates alike.

In his personal life, some of which crossed over with his colleagues, he was the life of the party. One friend mentioned that “Richard was the star around which we all seemed to orbit.” This friend would go to Richard’s house for a party and end up doing all his housework, willingly. He enjoyed good times with friends over drinks and lard, without a reason to celebrate besides life itself. Speaking of food and drink, his friends even began a group which they named in his honor, still alive today at www.lards.net.

But Richard was not just a man to hang out with; he also had a soft heart. He left behind a girlfriend who loved him dearly, and whom he loved just as much. Having worked in an office together, they had a secret code with their eyelids so that colleagues would not witness their affection. If caught, Richard would claim a problem with his contact lenses. He once bought his girlfriend a necklace with three diamonds: one stating he fell in love, another that he was still in love, and the third signifying that he would always love her.

Richard loved to travel in style. Using his excellent negotiation skills and charm, he would often upgrade to first class travel on airplanes. He would then use that opportunity to order beverages and send emails to his friends and colleagues joking about how rough he had it. But none were envious, because he made them feel better about themselves, and they all loved him for it.

Richard Dawson was taken from us on September 11, 2001, but his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of all of his colleagues, family, and friends, as his soul is bound for heaven. His cousin wrote a beautiful poem in his remembrance, which will serve as the coda for this tribute.

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned;
Only remember me; you understand
It will be too late to counsel then or pray,
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

In Memoriam
Anthony Richard Dawson
MMIX