Richard James Kolke
November 06, 1960 - June 13, 2024
Richard enjoying a family reunion at Kenosee Lake
Richard was a wonderful brother and friend.
He will be missed by all those whose paths crossed with his.
Here is a link to Richard's Obituary.
Here is a link to the Guestbook Entries.
The family would like to thank all of you for your recognition and condolences for Richard.
His love for music exposed me to so many beautiful things that I would have never experienced without him.
His knowledge extended way beyond music, as he loved to cook and became an avid sports fan in his later life.
Beyond his love for cooking was extending his profuse knowledge of Frank Zappa to the world. This topic never ceased to make him unbelievably happy.
Corresponding with Gail Zappa and advising on the score for the Whip It Out Ensemble, to perform some of Frank's works, was one of his most favorite experiences.
I was sitting in the cemetery, visiting mom and watching a young moose wander through when I received the phone call from Lani about Richard’s passing.
Richard was almost 4 years older than me and I was a nuisance to my brother until he could teach me to do things for him. I remember “fetch” and “get that book off the top shelf” games he taught me when I was young. I didn’t need to learn how to change the channel until got our second channel. As far back as I can recall, Richard was always reading and collecting. By the time he was 9, Richard had already amassed a notable assortment of Superman and Batman comics in addition to having completely collected the first three releases of the Batman Bubblegum cards that were released in the late 60’s.
At the end of 1968, renovations had been completed on our house and when we moved back in, we were also blessed with the arrival of our baby sister, Carmen. Richard was the best brother to her. He doted on Carmen frequently, allowing mom to rest from her many headaches. Richard was busy – he had a newborn to help with and at the same time, he was teaching me to walk again after I had come out of a lengthy hospital stay. As recently as this year, he joked about helping mom teach me to re-walk.
Around this time, Richard developed an interest in playing ball and joining the Cub Scouts; so, Dad with Henry Laurens, became Scout Masters and dad also coached Richard for his first year in baseball. Although Richard’s team won the championship that year, Richard seemed to be much more academic than athletic and removed himself from active sports until high school when he ran cross country and played basketball.
In 1971 Richard was enrolled in piano lessons. As with everything he undertook, Richard excelled at piano, completing Grade 6 Royal Conservatory and 2 levels of Theory within 5 years. He disliked competition and recitals; however, he always finished within the top 3 of any competition he was entered.
In 1972, 7-Up’s All for Un, Canadian promotion, exposed Richard to a radically new variety of artists. By matching the faces of the people in the 10 bands on the album, from pop can bottoms and bottle cap liners, Richard earned his first stereo,
I will be adding a photo gallery soon.
I am David, his younger brother - currently back in Melfort.
I can be reached at david@mucc.ca.
Feel free to email me photos or stories to be included on this memorial site of Richard's.
Richard's passion. Photo provided by Garry 
The whole gang together @ Kenosee Lake
Back row L->R Scott, Lani, Richard, David & Carmen (coincidentally in order of age)
Front row L->R Mom & Dad (also in order of age, but opposite us kids - we weren't always this difficult)
Richard, Elizabeth, David, Carmen, Keith
and Jadelynn
Richard on his way to see his friend Garry and a Zappa Plays Zappa show.
Richard being greeted by his good friend Garry in Castlegar, BC.
Richard enjoying a concert.
Richard celebrating his birthday at the Keg with his good friend Shannon.
the All For Un, Album,
and numerous other prizes that were being offered. It was around this time that mom was giving Richard a lift to his friend’s house, when she had her aneurism. Richard was in the car with her and was the one to knock on Judge Parker’s door to call the ambulance. I came home later that afternoon from a Cub Scout bottle drive, to see Richard devastated on the stairwell. He was so choked up that he couldn’t say anything. Afterwards, he retreated further into his music and reading. He could always be found in his room sitting on the floor, reading, with headphones on.
That summer, Aunt Helen, Uncle Vic and cousin Greg joined us on our annual family holiday to Kenosee and Torquay. This is the trip when our sister, Carmen, who was not quite 4 years old, fell off the stairs on a windmill at Mainprize Park and, as she said, "I think I broke my arm". While across the line in Minot shopping, Aunt Helen bought Richard Alice Cooper’s, Billion Dollar Babies album and gave it to Richard. I believe that began his obsession with collecting music. He was so engrossed by the music that his passion just exploded. By the end of the year, Richard had saved up enough money to have purchased the previous 4 albums made by that group and Melfort Electric and Furniture’s record bin became the place you would always find him – unless he was tethered to his stereo with his headphones.
Richard was an avid card player – learning the majority of the games from playing with dad’s sister, Helen. Richard loved to play Kaiser and being partnered with him was almost a guaranteed win. He cheated like a bastard while playing monopoly against me, but his morals were more intact while playing cards.
Richard had the gift of gab and could turn any story into a captivating tale like Homer’s, Iliad or Odessey - just as well as his father.
Richard started in the mail room at Trans Mountain and before long, had worked his way up to a position in accounts payable. He showed his brilliance and was soon doing senior accounting. He spent several years with One Yellow Rabbit theatre; but was soon drawn back into the Oil and Gas sector where he became sought after for assisting companies winding down during their insolvency.
Outside of his worklife, his love for music consumed most every thought and action. Outside of collecting, his online presence helped educate and correct inconsistencies that he found. Whilst a member of the Canadian Zappa tribute band "The Whip It Out Ensemble", Richard was delighted to have the opportunity to correspond with Frank Zappa’s widow, Gail. Those of you who knew Richard can appreciate how memorable this was for Richard.
He was asked to join an NFL football pool. He studied and memorized the history of NFL and after that first year, you would think he had been following NFL since its inception. He could quote stats and game plays like no other and by the second season he was involved he was cleaning up. I think he won the pool the next several years in a row.
Richard had a vast knowledge on various subjects with acute specialization in areas of accounting, animation, cooking, music, gastronomy, NFL and the Calgary Flames. Richard amassed an inordinate amount on knowledge on any subject that he took an interest in. HE was very intelligent and had a terrific sense of humour – perhaps a little too “pythonish” for some.
Those that truly knew Richard will always remember him whenever they listen to a song, attend a concert, or watch NFL. He had a very profound influence on those who knew him as his passions was insurmountable for the things he found dear.
Memories
Derek McColl: "taken way too soon ... meeting you guys in Calgary and forming friendships was great!
... you have always been close friends to me and I have great memories with all of you
... I looked up to him and he was and always will be a close friend.
... Richard and yourself introduced me to real music and opened my eyes to many different genres.
... Richard is with me always with the music I listen to and the Rotel stereo I use as well as the painting on my wall and the tattoo on my arm.
... it's unfortunate this is how we reunite missing one of the 4 amigo's ..."
Tattoo drawn by Paul Heath.
Richard, Murray, Derek and I are the 4 Amigos Derek refers to. We were all supposed to be part of a train trip from Calgary to Vancouver to see Pink Floyd in Dec 87. We all had train tickets under the names of band members - I believe my ticket was under the name David Gilmore, Richard's was under Richard Wright, Derek's was under Nick Mason, and Murray's was under Roger Waters. After departing Calgary's train station, Murray realized he had forgotten his jacket in the train station with all his money and the concert tickets. Murray ended up jumping off the train as it was rolling out of the Calgary city limits to retrieve his jacket. Murray suffered through a Plains Trains and Automobiles type of adventure, although his was more Motorcycles, Buses and Missed Trains, but Murray actually beat us to Vancouver. Derek didn't make the trip as at the last minute had his vacation cancelled and had to go back to work. Meanwhile, back on the train, Richard and I became quite popular as we were friends of 'The Guy Who Jumped Off The Train'. There were many party goers on the train, and Richard got to impress the others with his vast musical knowledge. When we arrived in Vancouver and Murray was standing on the platform, there was a large roar of jubilation as the train passengers all cheered for Murray's success. Unknowingly, Murray had managed to obtain floor tickets for the big show at BC Place - what a bonus for all of us! The concert was amazing and we got to see pigs fly. On the train ride home, fortunately, one of the conductors showed us how to turn the seats around and make beds. We had a relaxing and uneventful ride back to Calgary.
Michael Nikel of Germany: …Even though we never met in person, we had a long lasting friendship and an intensive exchange about music, be it digitally or via the good old snail mail. His contribution to the Zappateers will remain unforgotten. Richard was not only a passionate music lover, but also a talented musician and arranger. As a member of the Canadian Zappa tribute band "The Whip It Out Ensemble" from Calgary, he made a lasting contribution to the music scene and helped the band with musical arrangements, trivia and eyebrows. The band, which was invited to the Zappanale in 2007, unfortunately had to cancel due to a last-minute refusal of travel support and disbanded shortly afterwards. Their last DVD and CD from 2006 remain a testimony to their musical creativity and passion…
Allie Arnst:… He was a dynamic individual. He loved to socialize and discuss many topics. He also loved to cook. One of his specialties was Tom Yum Goong soup - a Thai hot & sour lemongrass delight that had a major kick to it. It was fantastic! We explored many cultural cuisines in Calgary. His music collection was vast. Many collectible items and his most loved was Frank Zappa. Richard also stoked my love of Neil Young, the Velvet Underground and lots of others. Whatever Richard did or enjoyed, he did it with passion - music, cooking, animation, theatre and of course the Washington RedSkins and his Sunday Ticket. He also used to refer to himself as "the Wayne Gretzky of Accounting". A sense of humor? Oh yes. …
