Rather than writing my own tribute to a wonderful brother, I am pleased to include an article which appeared in the April 2001 edition of "Communications", the Newsletter of the Loughborough Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. I am extremely grateful to Ivy Strachan for allowing me to use this tribute:

"Richard Tallet, who died on Sunday, 25^th February, was only recently known to branch members, although he had been a member of the National Society for some time.

Richard, a bachelor, worked at the university until his early death. I attended his funeral service on 9^th March, where a packed crematorium was testament to his popularity and diverse interests. I always feel sadness, on these occasions, that I never knew the real person before the ravages of M.S. took hold.

Richard, an excellent drummer, was a member of several folk dance groups in the Quorn area. A quiet, likeable man, he had struggled over the past months to come to terms with increasing disability and had spent eleven weeks in Epinal Way Hospital at the end of last year while adaptations were being made to his home and whilst a care package for him was being organised. In the meantime, he travelled every day to the university in his powered chair and his small room at the hospital became an extra office for him. Karen, the ward sister, told me today that she joked with him about the change of use of room, from a ward to an office!

Richard was fiercely independent and undemanding, quietly making the best of what M.S. had thrown at him. He would often phone for some advice or just for a chat and, as so often with M.S., I felt inadequate in that I couldn't offer him the practical help that he needed, although doing my best to point him to other sources of help.

It was a privilege to be present at his funeral service and to be counted as a friend of such a likeable, quietly spoken man.

Four friends from the folk dancing music groups, with which Richard was associated, played before and after the service, which was conducted by Rev. David Macha. It was a fitting and beautiful tribute to a man who was obviously loved and will be sadly missed by his brother, John, and friend, Lorna.

The hymn 'Lord of all Hopefulness', sung during the service summed up Richard's life.
It ends with the words:

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts Lord at the end of the day."