Young P.C. Richard "Dick" Coulthard
We have received very concerning news from Australia about our old friend and former colleague Richard “Dick” Coulthard who served here in the Bermuda Police from 1970 – 1976, before leaving the Island with his lovely wife Jenny, and spending several years in Canada where Dick joined the Peel Regional Police and where they had their 3 children, Claudia, Emma and Aidan. Dick and Jenny and their family eventually emigrated to Australia where Dick served with the Royal Australian Air Force Police until his retirement in 2003. CLICK HERE for an excellent article written by Dick in our “Then and Now” column.
The news came from Dick’s three children and reads as follows:-
“We’re sorry to inform that in February this year, our Dad Richard was diagnosed with rapid onset Lewy Body Dementia and has moved to a nursing home for 24 hour care. Things have progressed incredibly quickly and it has come as a surprise to us all.
Dad is mainly in good spirits most days understands his diagnosis however he also occasionally has not so good days, fortunately on those days he’s not aware of where he is. The staff at the nursing home are lovely and are taking good care of him and of course, Dad is ever the gentleman and is super polite to everyone there looking after him. They have weekly trivia which he’s looking forward to attending. He has a lovely corner room with lots of windows and we’ve furnished it with a few nice pieces from home.
We’re happy to pass on any messages to Dad and he still remembers friends and relatives. He can receive mail at the nursing home (address below) but is unfortunately no longer capable of making phone calls, sending emails or accessing his Facebook.”
Richard and Jennifer with their children and partners, and their grandchildren
Without any doubt, all of us who worked with Dick have very fond memories of a first class friend and fellow police officer from the moment he stepped off the plane. He was first posted to Central Uniform, then to Traffic where he was a popular member of “B” Watch, and in 1974 his wish was granted when he was transferred to CID where, in his own words, “I arrived to work for Chief Inspector Clive Donald – to this day the best police officer I have worked for.”
We last saw Dick and Jenny here in Bermuda in 2012 when they visited the Island and managed to find time to get together with old friends for "Happy Hour" at the Police Club.
We send our very best wishes to Dick and to his very loving family, and we have a question about Dick to test the memories of the guys who worked with him in CID. What did he put into practice whenever he was investigating breaking and enterings, and why did he get “the boot” from CRO when he left Bermuda in 1976?!
We're thinking of you Dick.