Ric I can't ever remember a conversation with you where I wasn't smiling the entire time. You were so encouraging and supportive of me and I'm beyond proud to have known you and to have been your friend. Everyone will wrap themselves around Michelle, don't you worry about that. I'm desperately sorry to not be able to be at your funeral in person. I will miss you. Go well. x

Ric, crushed to hear of your passing. Thank you for your guidance, advice and most of all fun times. Have great memories of long dinners, one in particular at the Bach in Taupo, 1.00am in the morning with Sassicaia in hand and music blasting. Rest in peace mate.

Ric, we had plans to have a BBQ at Christmas with you and Michelle. We had many future plans, and dreamt of the days we would all spend in Tinopai once our projects were built. Sharing a cold drink on the deck in the sun, admiring the views we are so lucky to have in Tinopai, enjoying the peace and quiet, hearing the birds and nature and all that Tinopai farm is. A community being built. We wanted you both to be apart of our children’s lives as they grew up. A friendship just blossoming into something so wonderful. We are so gutted we don’t get to spend that time with you now, but hope Michelle can carry on enjoying Tinopai and what you’ve both worked so hard towards. Thank you for the chats over the past few years. Rest easy mate. Thanks for your friendship, you’ll be sorely missed. We are so very sorry for this incredibly huge loss for your family and friends. Surround yourselves with each other and hold on to the memories 🤍 Rob and Jasmine xx Lot2

Ric Ric, I met you first when both you and my husband Deane were at similar career crossroads. You two guys got your nuts-n-bolts in order toward what your hearts felt was going to be a better all-round fit for who you were and what you really wanted out of life. And you never looked back. We’ve hung out, drank great wine, consumed great food, and most other good things life throws to lucky buggars, though as we know, the harder we work, the more luck we seem to enjoy - and that’s you Ric, all over. Your career and Michelle project kicked into full swing, and more recently your property project highlight the ones for us which stand out more than anything else. You would throw yourself in a structured, mild-mannered, practical, and sensible way at what was in front of you and make it reality. When you felt strongly on an issue or had a difference of opinion you would never be dragged to a place of opinion to keep the peace, and were strong and confident in yourself to speak exactly what you thought, when it came to you, but always in the right way so as to not slam dunk friendships, or seem as though sitting on any high-horse. I could go on and on, but I won’t. You are already so, so missed, and many hearts are burning to see your gracious and ever so humble smirky smiles. While for some that will seem impossible to ever see again, others who know you best already feel those new smiles, forever possible when our hearts are in the right place. Rest easy Ric; our friend, our challenger, our salesman, our achiever, and most of all our mate.

Tim Judd and I are in absolute shock and sending you all our love💚💚💚💚 no words can express what you must be going through right now. We will fondly remember the Air New Zealand wine awards that Tim worked with you both and then me joining you all for the awards nights afterwards. Ric was one of a kind💚 We can’t be with you in person but will be with you in spirit and raising a glass of champagne to celebrate his life🍾