Richard Matthews (OB 1961-1968)

Richard Matthews died peacefully in his sleep at home on 29th September 2024, at the age of 74. Born in Ilford, Essex, on 16th May 1950, Richard's early years were spent in Redbridge before his family relocated to Brentwood in 1957, where he attended St. Peter’s School in South Weald.

Richard joined Brentwood School as a boarder in Old House in 1961, where I first met him and we remained friends ever since. He progressed to Mill Hill where he became Head of House and represented the school in the 2nd XI football team.

David, his brother, joined the school five years later first in Otway and then followed him into Mill Hill. Richard’s passion for cars began early and remained an important interest in his life, initially in model cars then motor racing with many visits to Silverstone and Brands Hatch and the cars which he owned including a Triumph Spitfire, in which we toured Wales, and a TR6 to name but two.

After leaving school in 1968, Richard embarked on his career as a management trainee with Arthur Guinness, where he was immersed in the brewing industry. His career took him to Jamaica, serving as assistant production manager at the Guinness Brewery near Kingston, where he embraced island life and hospitality with an apartment at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

Back in the UK, his career continued with a subsidiary of Guiness in the north of England, an area he quickly came to love. He stayed there and moved outside the brewing and wine trade, becoming Managing Director of Hopwood Kay Hopwood for 15 years, a plastic extrusion and injection moulding business supplying garden centres.  Following the death of its owner he was replaced as MD by the owner’s son and it collapsed within 3 years! He established his own consultancy firm, continuing to work supplying garden centres, the industry he humorously claimed to dislike. He also ran the garden products division of a public company for 6 years.

Richard’s life was one of devoted family values, particularly with his marriage to his wonderful wife Diana on 28th June 1986 and then their children, Oliver, Bryony, and Harriet. He first bought the coincidentally named ‘Old House’ - in the Ribble valley but as their children were born, moved to Bolton by Bowland to a more suitable family home in a converted stone barn, with lovely views, a paddock for horses, in which they provided a warm welcome to their family and many friends.

Despite facing several health challenges in his final months, Richard remained positive with a great sense of humour.

He was a great guy, fun, generous, kind, modest, dependable, a loyal friend and completely dedicated to his family. He had strong views that he would argue passionately to the early hours but always with good humour and courtesy and he lived by the School’s motto, “Virtue, Learning and Manners.”  His profound love for his family and friends leaves an enduring legacy of affection and respect.

Written by Sir Michael Snyder