Far too soon, but surrounded by tremendous love, Richard John Feigl died on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack, British Columbia, eight days before his 48 ^th birthday. Richard fought with incredible courage and optimism against the merciless gastric and liver cancer which was diagnosed in September 2017. He battled the madness of cancer heroically and even beat the odds several times so that he could give us all a few more precious months with him in our lives.

After Richard's passing, his RCMP colleagues formed an honour guard outside the hospice. They then escorted him in an impressive procession of cars and motorcycles through Chilliwack and personally delivered him to Henderson's Funeral Homes. We were touched and honoured beyond words.

Richard was born on November 26, 1970 in Cochenour Memorial Hospital, in Cochenour, Ontario, the youngest of Aniela (née Mandzij) and Herwig Feigl's six children. He attended Cochenour Public School and graduated as an honour student from Red Lake District High School in 1989. He won many commendations, but was especially proud of his Terry Fox award. Some of Richard's early working years were spent at Red Lake Marine, and underground at Dickenson Mines.

After playing Junior D hockey for one year in London, Richard moved to Thunder Bay, where he attended Confederation College of Applied Arts & Technology, and took some aircraft flight training. In 1992, Richard graduated with an aircraft manufacturing technician diploma. While in Thunder Bay, he was employed by Bombardier in the assembly of go-trains. Richard was transferred to de Havilland at Brampton, Ont., in 1995 as an aircraft manufacturing planner and then worked for McDonald-Douglas (later Boeing) in Mississauga, Ont. He transferred in the same position to Boeing in Winnipeg in 1999, then to Aldergrove, B.C. in 2004.

After nine years together, Richard and Marianne Richthammer had married on September 6, 1997 in Red Lake. They lovingly welcomed two sons into the world, Dakota in 1998, and Dawsyn, in 2001. Richard was a devoted father; his first thoughts were always for and about his boys.

Richard became a telecoms operator (dispatcher) for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Chilliwack, B.C. in 2009. He diligently took care of officers on the road. Richard served as a volunteer firefighter with the Chilliwack Fire Department, and earned his first responder certificate from the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2011 in order to respond to medical calls during fire situations.

Richard made us all exceptionally proud when he graduated, after rigorous, rewarding training at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy, Depot Division, Regina, Sask., as a Constable in February 2013 (Regimental #60351). While bravely putting his life on the line on a daily basis to protect and serve, Richard truly flourished in and was committed to his career with the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment in Chilliwack. He cherished the camaraderie he shared with his colleagues on D Watch, and was noted at work for his kindness, including to those he arrested. He enjoyed traffic enforcement and had requested a transfer. Four days before his death, Richard was granted an honourary transfer to the Fraser Valley Traffic Services Team as his official last post. In countless ways, he truly made a difference.

Richard was playing hockey by age five. By the end of his life, he had been an enthusiastic, competitive member of teams in Red Lake, London, Thunder Bay, Mississauga, Winnipeg, and Chilliwack. He was an exceptional goalie.   To say Richard was one of the greatest fans of the Montreal Canadiens was an understatement. He also enjoyed motorcycles and had a tender heart for pets, which ranged from lizards, to cats, to dogs.

Richard had unshakeable integrity and an infectious sense of humour. He lived his life fully and passionately. After his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Richard was deeply touched by the huge outpouring of support from so many. Among other tremendous acts of kindness and generosity, a fundraiser was held At Evergreen Hall, Chilliwack, on December 16, 2017, and a GoFundMe campaign truly touched Richard's heart. He had one last trip home to the Red Lake District, with his boys, in July 2018.

Heartbroken but grateful for his remarkable life are sons Dakota and Dawsyn and their mother, Marianne Richthammer, of Chilliwack, BC, and partner, Sarah Liske, of Chilliwack, mother Aniela Feigl of Cochenour, siblings Monica Friesen (Donald Nimigon) of Marmora, ON, Renate (Domenico Rea) of Red Lake, Garry (Cheryl) of Cochenour, Marianne (Julien Malchesky) of Ingersoll, ON, and Jim (Marni Ausmus) of Kamloops, BC. Nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many great friends/colleagues also survive.

Richard was predeceased by his beloved father, Herwig, on August 26, 2009, grandparents Weronika & Piotr Mandzij and Hermine & August Feigl, cousins, Kasias and Helen, and in-laws Jeannette & Johann (John) Richthammer.

A moment of prayer and remembrance for Richard was held on centre ice at Prospera Arena by the Chilliwack Chiefs on November 22, 2018. A memorial gathering was held on Richard's birthday, November 26, 2018, at the Drake residence at Shelby's Pond, Chilliwack.

Richard's funeral took place in the Royal Canadian Legion hall, Red Lake, on December 6, 2018. Father Justin Eze officiated. A photographic video tribute and photo display was presented by John Richthammer, Jr., and Richard's uniform was also displayed.

Eulogies were delivered by Dakota Feigl, John Dranski, Mark Fulawka and RCMP Const. Curtis Milman, readings were given by Renate Feigl Smith and John Richthammer, Jr., and the responsorial psalm was led by Janet Duncan. Maureen Beck Reid provided beautiful music. Urn bearers were Dakota, Dawsyn & Aniela Feigl. Honourary pallbearers, chosen personally by Richard, were: Mark Fulawka, Lloyd Gillis, Lee Lyons, RCMP Const. Curtis Milman, Stu Ralko, and RCMP Sgt. Chris Robinson.

Following an escort by the Ontario Provincial Police, Red Lake Detachment, Richard was laid to rest in the Woodland Cemetery columbarium, near his father's niche and near his grandparents' graves. Following the interment, a memorial lunch took place at the Legion.

Memorial donations to the Montreal Canadiens Childrens' Foundation are greatly appreciated.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all who consoled, nourished, and supported us in Chilliwack and in Red Lake. We will never forget those who visited and brought comfort to Richard at home, in hospital, and in hospice. The compassionate work done by the nurses, doctors, and chemotherapy unit was greatly appreciated.

Tracy Pryndik of the Red Lake Funeral Chapel absolutely went above and beyond the call of duty for her former classmate, and for us. Thank you, Tracy, and staff for your professionalism and exceptional, caring,and important service. We also appreciate the assistance of Henderson's Funeral Home in Chilliwack and West Coast Crematorium in Burnaby, BC.

We are grateful to Ret. S/Sgt. Robbie Drake (Richard's watch commander) and Richard Cramp for so lovingly hosting the celebration of life in Chilliwack, and to the following for all the help with this memorial: Pierre Cadrin & Mari-Rose Hrankowski Cadrin, Chris Robinson, Pam Roman O'Keefe and Jeff, Bill Taylor, and Dan Tiel.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude to John Richthammer, Jr. (Uncle J. J.) for being there for us in so many loving, unwavering ways, for organizing the funeral in Red Lake, and for making things less difficult for us every chance he could.

We were honoured by the eulogists, readers, and honourary pallbearers, and those who travelled to be with us. Cst. Curtis Milman, Sgt. Chris Robinson, and Pam Roman O'Keefe travelled with Marianne, Sarah, Dakota, and Dawsyn from B.C. – we can never thank you enough for all of your love and support.

Thank you from our hearts to Fr. Justin Eze, the Legion, church volunteers, florists, and Michael Desforges for the video. The cards, donations, letters, Facebook messages, and photos are all treasured and mean a great deal to us.

We greatly miss Richard's mega-watt smile and laugh, and so much more. We are grateful for his presence in our lives, but how deeply we wish it could have been for much, much longer.