After MCS, Richard obtained first-class honours in Mathematics and Computing at Lincoln College, Oxford. He then did an MPhil in neuroscience, thinking at that time that he might work at the interface between brain and computer. In the event, he did not pursue this, and instead worked for two years as a programmer at SunGard. After leaving there, he worked as a software architect for Schlumberger, on oil-reservoir modelling, at their Abingdon Technology Centre, where he was greatly appreciated not only for his impressive intellectual and technical expertise, but also for the way he had made it his business to ensure that everyone’s well-being was looked after, and frequently took on mentoring roles alongside his technical work, always modest, he would readily credit others with ideas and work that were originally his.

He died unexpectedly on 13 November 2013.