Witty companion, workaholic, optimist, stoic, computer-phobe, special occasion facilitator, raconteur, moralist, compulsive green thumb, avid theatre and concertgoer, roof gardener, summer pudding-maker, painter, rememberer of birthdays, punster, voracious reader, film maker, museumolic, snappy dresser, sequiner, harpsichord player, party giver, flower arranger, supplier of bon mots, delightful travel companion, regular sender of postcards (sometimes 6 at a time) for 43 expatriate years…and much, much more.
Richard “Dickie” Lowe – who died earlier this year aged 67 – was a smashing bloke, as the words above from Alexandra and Leigh Copeland’s Melbourne Age obituary attest.
I encountered Lowe on but a handful of occasions; he never failed to charm and delight.
Although he had lived in the UK since the late 60s, Lowe’s Larrikin spirit was undimmed to the last. His singularity was made manifest in the magnificent decor of his central London apartment, which communicated an interest in and knowledge of Egyptian art, miniature Australian landscapes, postcards, bric-a-brac and curios of all varieties, and has now been documented by photographer Peter Waldman.
Photos unless otherwise credited Peter Waldman.
Vicki murfett
December 20, 2013 at 4:48 amFabulous Sadly missed xx
Paul Grand
July 2, 2014 at 10:53 amSo Shocked and very Sad to hear Richard has in fact died, we’d been ringing his Soho doorbell for years when visiting London, so this is why finally.. I worked with Richard many times, we’d sometimes work all night in Harrods, and he was fabulous to work with, my first job in London was the Cutty Sark Twinning’s Tea through the ages working for him.
His Xmas parties were the best of the season, and I would often be his doorman.
Thanks for publishing this, its the first time ive ever found him on-line.
Paul
Paul Gorman Author
July 25, 2014 at 8:25 amAn absolute pleasure Paul. Sorry you had to find out the hard way. As I wrote, I didn’t know him that well, though gathered he was a remarkable fellow. Best, PG.