Very Sad News

[Mr. Hucko]

There's no gentle way to say this, and the news may be old to some, but I just learned that Rich(ard) Morgan, who used the monicker "Rich in El Lay," has died of lung cancer. Rich was an unusual guy, but he was also a fun and generous wine drinker who often bought the best wines to the party (always Burgundy). He was also, AFAIC, the source of definitive informtion on all things Burgundian, ranging from a winemake's nickname to what slope in Chambolle that particular wine came from. The cause of his death will surprise few who knew him, since he smoked like a chimney, but nonetheless he will be missed.

Bob Henry

[Bob Henrick]

Indeed Bob, this is very sad news. I have often wondered of late where Richard had gone. I don't believe I have seen his name on a post since we migrated from the old WLDG back in November 2005, or before. We will miss him for a long long time.

[Hoke]

Always sad to hear of someone you know passing---and I knew Richard only through the internet, but still...

Ironic that one of my strongest memories is his fury about smoking regulations, and how he would argue so vociferously for his right to smoke in restaurants.

He was, as you said, 'unusual', but he was an interesting guy nonetheless; one who I wish I had known a little better.

[Bruce Hayes]

Thank you for telling us. I also knew Richard from the wine forums, but also had the great pleasure of meeting him, at an off-line in London a number of years ago with another former poster, Nick Alabaster.

Richard was on his way home to LA from, yet another, trip to Burgundy and had made a short stop in London. A lovely evening and, yes, Richard's contributions to the evening's festivities included two bottles of Burgundy.

[Dale Williams]

Very sorry to hear this, I did enjoy his (opinionated) posts for years.

[Jenise]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Like you, I really liked Rich, and I looked forward every year to celebrating your birthday with him, plus all the other times we'd get together. As you said, he always brought great wine, and his food contributions were always superb. He had an excellent palate for both (even if he couldn't detect TCA). So distressting to hear this, though we heavily suspected from what you told me of the last time he visited you that something was deeply wrong.

FWIW, after you told me about that I tried various internet-available ways to track him down. I imagined him in some nursing home with no way to let his friends know where and how he was, and I pictured us bringing Listerene bottles full of Burgundy to his bedside. But of course (or you'd have been the first to know), I wasn't successful.

Dear old Richard. I was trying to decide between a burgundy and a merlot for tonight's dinner. Of course, it's decided now.

What a dear guy.

But here's a cheerful thought: wherever he is, he doesn't have to wash his hair anymore.

[Robin Garr]

That is sad news, Hucko, but thanks for being the bearer of it. I know a lot of us old-timers remember Richard well from way back in the early CompuServe days, and more recent WLDGers will remember him for his spirited defense of the natural cork.

I hope he didn't suffer too badly, and he was certainly taken way too young.

[Mr. Hucko]

Richard was 55 years old; the cancer progressed quickly, although there had been, IMO, general pre-diagnosis physical deterioration going on for awhile.

[JoePerry]

Terrible news, indeed.

[wnissen]

Boy, that is terrible. Rich was a fun and knowledgeable guy and I'll miss him.

Walt

[Jenise]

Indeed Bob, this is very sad news. I have often wondered of late where Richard had gone. I don't believe I have seen his name on a post since we migrated from the old WLDG back in November 2005, or before. We will miss him for a long long time.

Bob, it was long before that. Just checked because I was curious myself, and his last post on old FLDG was Dec 04, and he'd been very active up until then.

[Bob Henrick]

Thank you Jenise, I didn't quiet realize that it had been that long.

[Paul Winalski]

Sad news, indeed. I'll raise a glass to his memory.

-Paul W.

[Gregg G]

Sad news indeed. My sincere condolences to his family. I believe Rich was a fellow Angeleno. I'll always remember him for his invaluable info he shared when organizing my trip to Burgundy.

[Jenise]

You're right, Gregg, he was. Worked in the Marina, lived in Torrance.