One of my closest friends who posts as RichLB, real name Rich Fife, died during the night of August 3. We don't know what happened yet and probably won't know until we get autopsy results.
What I do know is yesterday Rich went to the hospital for a cystoscope exam. He went at 9:00am. He had called me to ask what that is like and he sounded fine. I called hours later to ask about the results and he was still in the hospital. He was just about to tell me when the doctor walked in. He said he'll call me later, but never did. Again, he still sounded fine.
He had returned home. This morning his boyfriend found him dead in bed. At least he died in his sleep.
Rich was 83 years old, just 2 months shy of his 84th birthday.
If and when I have any funeral arrangement information, I will post.
RichLB has died - Funeral information last page this topic
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Gaybutton
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Gaybutton
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TomUK
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Re: RichLB has died
I am sorry for your loss, GB. My condolences to RichLB's boyfriend, family, and friends.
I have only met him on two or three occasions, and it has always been a pleasure.
I have only met him on two or three occasions, and it has always been a pleasure.
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richsilver
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Re: RichLB has died
I knew Rich more from the Boards over the years than I did in-person, having only met him a few times over the years when our paths crossed in Pattaya. He was a true gentleman with a great personality which was always evident in his posts.
GB, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend...and of course my condolences also extend to all who knew him.
Enjoy your journey Rich.
GB, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend...and of course my condolences also extend to all who knew him.
Enjoy your journey Rich.
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Gaybutton
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Re: RichLB has died
I appreciate the condolences. Yes, it is a major personal loss to me and also a great shock since it was totally unexpected. I also think several of those reading this are also saddened. Many in Pattaya, especially many of us on the retirement visa, knew Rich.
Ken, Rich's boyfriend, has given me a little more information about what happened. After they went home from the hospital they had dinner as usual. Not long after Rich said he was tired and went to bed.
Ken said Rich almost always wakes up about 6:00am. When 8:00am came and Rich hadn't moved, Ken gave him few shakes, but there was no response. It took Ken a couple minutes, but soon realized Rich had died.
Rich's body was removed and sent to Banglamung Hospital, where it will remain until they can send him to Bangkok for the autopsy. We don't know when that will be, so it will likely be some time before we get the results and know what caused Rich's death.
Meanwhile, Ken, of course, is very upset, but he will be ok. When I went over to their apartment Ken was calm and several of his friends and relatives are there. Ken plans to remain in Pattaya for the time being, but once everything is settled and taken care of he said he will probably eventually return to his home town, Mae Sot.
I will be helping Ken with some of what needs to be done. A couple years ago Rich gave me a list of "upon my death" instructions, which I am trying to get taken care of.
Again, if and when I get any further information, I will post.
Ken, Rich's boyfriend, has given me a little more information about what happened. After they went home from the hospital they had dinner as usual. Not long after Rich said he was tired and went to bed.
Ken said Rich almost always wakes up about 6:00am. When 8:00am came and Rich hadn't moved, Ken gave him few shakes, but there was no response. It took Ken a couple minutes, but soon realized Rich had died.
Rich's body was removed and sent to Banglamung Hospital, where it will remain until they can send him to Bangkok for the autopsy. We don't know when that will be, so it will likely be some time before we get the results and know what caused Rich's death.
Meanwhile, Ken, of course, is very upset, but he will be ok. When I went over to their apartment Ken was calm and several of his friends and relatives are there. Ken plans to remain in Pattaya for the time being, but once everything is settled and taken care of he said he will probably eventually return to his home town, Mae Sot.
I will be helping Ken with some of what needs to be done. A couple years ago Rich gave me a list of "upon my death" instructions, which I am trying to get taken care of.
Again, if and when I get any further information, I will post.
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traveller123
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Re: RichLB has died
I had the pleasure of meeting Rich a couple of times for dinner he was a real gentleman and will be greatly missed by Ken, Gay Button and his friends. RIP Rich
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Gaybutton
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Re: RichLB has died
Coincidentally, the August 3 article by Barry Kenyon ( https://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic ... 80#p114380 ) details all the steps and costs involved when a farang dies in Thailand.
Of course Barry is writing about the costs in Pattaya, but I can tell you from personal experience that the costs of a funeral for a Thai, even in the poorest, most rural provinces, can be equally as expensive and end up costing much more. I have seen such funerals and Thais seem willing to spend huge amounts of money, money they can't afford but spend anyway, on elaborate funerals.
Those of you who have a long term Thai boyfriend, a boyfriend who will likely be in charge upon your own death, I suggest making sure he will have at least 100,000 baht available to cover the costs of your own death and funeral. Whether you want an elaborate funeral or not, no matter how much you try to convince your Thai boyfriend to give you a simple, no frills funeral, he's unlikely to listen and much more inclined to make it elaborate with or without your wishes, no matter what he's told you he will do.
Of course Barry is writing about the costs in Pattaya, but I can tell you from personal experience that the costs of a funeral for a Thai, even in the poorest, most rural provinces, can be equally as expensive and end up costing much more. I have seen such funerals and Thais seem willing to spend huge amounts of money, money they can't afford but spend anyway, on elaborate funerals.
Those of you who have a long term Thai boyfriend, a boyfriend who will likely be in charge upon your own death, I suggest making sure he will have at least 100,000 baht available to cover the costs of your own death and funeral. Whether you want an elaborate funeral or not, no matter how much you try to convince your Thai boyfriend to give you a simple, no frills funeral, he's unlikely to listen and much more inclined to make it elaborate with or without your wishes, no matter what he's told you he will do.