Dear Karen and Zachary,

Rich was an inspiration to me as he was to many others. The people who perpetrated this horror have deprived the world of many fine people, but Rich was one of the most extraordinary people I have

ever met and I was proud to consider him my friend.

He was a very hard working, hard playing person. He was a fount of knowledge of the most esoteric things, but also had the common touch, with a zest for life that surprised most. He was a musician, an

artist, a comic, a surfer, tequila animal, and the best manager and teacher I have ever had. He taught me that you have to work hard to feel good about yourself, but that work was a means to an end.

His ends were to look after you guys to the best of his ability and for you all to have fun doing it.

I was sitting at the desk next to him in London, last time he was over a few weeks back. We had set up his desktop with a picture of the ZZ Top Eliminator album cover and a picture of the PT Cruiser

(which we knew he was very chuffed with) and put "Separated at birth?" as the caption. We had also downloaded the tune "Sharp Dressed Man" to his mobile. He thought this was highly amusing (it was a

bit childish really, but if he thought so, he never let on), and announced his intention to get the rag top version, just because we took the mickey so much out of his car.

There was a lot going on, the company was having trouble and jobs were being cut. The things that stick in my mind were his dedication to his team, covering us with the big boys, same as he did at

Bankers, and making sure everyone in the company was aware what we were doing for them, and the time he made to talk to you both as often as possible. He was truly happy talking to you both on the

phone.

We had a good conversation about the forthcoming Spiderman and Lord of the Rings films, both of which he was excited about, and were also working out between the five of us what the best new gadgets

were. He gave me my first Palm Pilot about three years ago at Bankers. I still use it every day.

He also paid us all a compliment which cracked us up. Apparently, in the States the phrase "You're the balls" is saying "You're very good". Over here it's a bit of an insult. We explained and he

re-phrased to "canine's testicles" which is a very high, if slightly rude, compliment, and asked why we couldn't speak English properly.

The first time I talked to Rich, he had phoned me from NatWest Markets at 11pm on a Friday to interview me for a job there, my first in the City. I explained I had been down the pub and was not the

most coherent person on the planet at that point, and he said "No problem, it means I'll get honest answers to my questions." He pulled me in for an interview the next week, and I turned up suited and

booted, quaking with fear, as you do. He came to meet me, giant bloke, casual attire, with a sheaf of paper in his hand. We walked across the floor to a photocopier and he interrogated me on how I

responded to people in various situations while photocopying the whole pile of paper. After five minutes, he handed me the photocopied paper pile and said, "Go hand your notice in at CCT, have two

weeks holiday somewhere hot and read this. See you in six weeks." It was the most exhausting, and shortest, interview I've ever had, and the most effective. He told me off for selling myself short and

said I should go for what I wanted, "Don't put yourself down, there are enough other people in the world to do that bit for you". His whole style was to make sure people who worked for him knew they

had to work it out themselves, but that he was always there as backstop for us. He treated us all as equals and always looked after us.

My parents and six brothers and sisters have been phoning every day for news, since they know how much I respect and admire Rich. My sixteen year old brother, who sings in a band has asked me to tell

you that his band ("Keyser Soze and the Yangtze Kollective", or "KSATYK" for short... it'll never catch on) are dedicating a song at their gig next week to Rich and you guys. My mother has also asked

me to pass on a hymn (attached below) written by one of her friends in honour of all the people affected by the disaster. It was sung by the congregation at a memorial mass at Leaside Church, Ware on

the 16th September. I am not a religious person, but most of my family are. We all send our love and prayers.

I have been inundated with e-mails and telephone calls from people who have worked with Rich in the past asking for news, a couple of which I have attached to this note. He is a much loved,

inspirational man, and will be sorely missed by many.

Karen, I hope this is of some use and thank you for asking for us to write to you. I know I'm not the most articulate of people. What seems important to say is the silly conversations and sense of fun

that were there, and the lessons I learned. If it wasn't for Rich, I wouldn't be the person I am now. He was a most excellent bloke and I will miss him. He made a big difference to everyone he met.

Not many people have that ability.

If there is ever anything I can do for you or Zachary, please do not hesitate to contact me.

All my love to you both. Have a good birthday Zachary.

Niall McCallion

The following words are to the tune of "O God, Our Help in Ages Past", St Anne CM

O God, Our Words Cannot Express

O God, our words cannot express

The pain we feel this day.

Enraged, uncertain, we confess

Our need to bow and pray.

We grieve for all who lost their lives...

And for each injured one.

We pray for children, husbands, wives

Whose grief has just begun.

O Lord, we're called to offer prayer

For all our leaders, too.

May they amid such great despair,

Be wise in all they do.

We trust your mercy and your grace;

In you we will not fear.

May peace and justice now embrace.

Be with your people here.

Tune attr William Croft, 1708. Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.