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Honoring Richard Lainhart

Our friend Richard Lainhart died quite unexpectedly last week. Writing about Richard is a bit like talking about art: words seem far too monochromatic to describe someone as precious, sublime and complex as was Richard.

Instead of trying to quantify the multidimensional facets of Richard's wonderful life, I want you to know how much we are already missing his generous and gentle spirit. I, personally, feel an emptiness that is very hard to describe. It has something to do with taking for granted the idea that he would always be here. Got a problem? Richard had a solution. Puzzled about an arcane technical question? I called Richard ...because he always knew the answer. It's strange to think that in a world of unlimited, online information, Richard was my most steady and reliable source. 

We shared a love of sound and synthesis. Watching Richard conjure up his organic electronic textures from his awesome Buchla was a bit like being a spectator at The Creation itself. Bubbling forth from his sonic brew were primordial universes, expanding and contracting like the forces of nature, and beyond. Truly magnificent.

In the months and weeks before he left this world, we had been trying to get together to improvise with the goal of, perhaps, performing together. I had to cancel a couple of scheduled rehearsals, as did he. This, I am quite sure, is going to be one of my deepest regrets.

Thank you Richard for all the goodness you brought into the world through your spirit and your music. Peace.

Steve H

Steve H

Steve H | Articles by this author



Jan 05, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to Richard's family and co-workers. Richard will truly be missed.
Jan 05, 2012
Steve, my deepest condolences to you, and all of Richard's friends and family.

Thank you for your touching tribute.
Jan 05, 2012
sir joe
What a sad news! R.I.P. Richard, my condolences to his family and friends.
Jan 05, 2012
This is really a sad moment and great loss to the community. He was a great source of information. I'll be praying for his family and friends at MPV.

Jan 05, 2012
Very sad and my condolences to all the family and friends.
Jan 05, 2012
Hamish H
So sorry to hear this. My condolences for his family, friends and colleagues. Richard was an amazing teacher and I count myself lucky to have been able to learn from him.
Jan 05, 2012
David F.
Helped me to build and reinforce a solid understanding of Analog Synthesis. R.I.P., Richard, and Thank You.
Jan 05, 2012
Sharing knowledge is one of the best things a man can do. It lets people grow and inspire them to develop new things, like music.

Keep sharing Richards work and he will be with you for a long time. For now cry, hug, talk and laugh when you think of him.

Keep sharing, like he did.

My deepest condolences for his family, friends and colleagues.

May Richard rest in peace.
Jan 05, 2012
"Above all, have fun!"

The words above is what I'll remember most about Richard and his always engaging articles on The Hub.

Thank you, Richard, for the inspiration and your amazing contribution to our community. We will miss you.
Jan 05, 2012
Scott S.
Condolences from a lowly subscriber. I enjoyed Richard's tutroials and am saddened to hear this news. I hope the legacy he leaves behind at least gives some comfort to those who knew him best.

Jan 05, 2012
Truly a huge loss. :(
Jan 05, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jan 05, 2012
RIP old man! Your tutorials are really awesome!
Jan 05, 2012

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your note about Richard is a beautiful tribute for which I thank you for sharing. You've honored your friend well during a time where deep sadness and shock must be ever present.

Your thoughtful note has prompted me to reach out to my close friend and co-worker of over 20 years and remind him how much his friendship means to me, and thank him for sharing his brilliance over the years and how I hope he doesn't feel taken for granted.

May I add that it appears we've both been blessed knowing true renaissance men.

Thank you and best regards,
Jan 05, 2012
How very sad.... And what a beautiful tribute. Condolences to his family and friends. I hope they will be able to take comfort knowing his spirit and legacy lives on in his many grateful students.
Jan 05, 2012
Terrible news. I loved his synthesis course
and learned a bunch in the process.

Best wishes to his family
Jan 05, 2012
indeed his loss is very sad sad to us.
his tutorials on synthesizer were on the point.
Jan 05, 2012
Gary Hiebner
This is very sad news. Richard will be dearly missed. His sound synthesis tutorials were truly amazing.
Jan 05, 2012
Christian L
Richard was so young to go. He will always be an inspiration for me. My heart and thoughts go to his family and friends.
Jan 06, 2012
Geoff Blake
I've had the wonderful opportunity to work with Richard a number of times throughout the years, and he was always a consummate professional and a wonder to be around. He had that rare juxtaposition of being immensely creative, composing masterful and beautiful sonic soundscapes, while at the same time being incredibly technically inclined. Of course, he was a wonderful teacher, too. I've never met anyone who had such a combination of skills...nor such a deep technical knowledge. Something's broken and production has halted. Phone Richard. We need to get this ancient piece of gear working with the current workflow. Phone Richard. He'd get in there, string a cable or two, maybe crawl around for a bit under the console, twist a few knobs, and as if he'd sprinkled some magic techie-dust or something, the damn thing would miraculously work!

None of us knew how he did it. We'd all just look at each other and shrug. Who knows how he got things back up and running but he did. "No problem," he'd say with a smile. And off he'd go.

I know there are many, many people who are affected by his passing, and I'd like to take the opportunity to pass along my condolences. I only wish I'd had the chance to know Richard better. His passing is a reminder of how fragile life is, and how quickly it can be turned upside down. To fill our time here, while we have it, as Richard did...with those we love, doing the things we love.
Jan 06, 2012
Mick Hick
I will continue to learn from you amazing, insightful tutorials, rest in peace, thank you.
Jan 07, 2012
Though we will miss his physical presence,Richard will always be with us thru his teaching & musical wisdom that has enlightened many life's

my heartfelt sympathies to all his loved ones
Jan 09, 2012
My deepest condelences to close friends and family...
Our best tribute: to go on learning with his tutorials and lessons...
Jan 12, 2012
Cristian C
I got to know Richard only through his two tutorials, which I bought last year and which I enjoy every time I play them. I find them very useful and inspiring. His pleasant voice and pace lifts the whole learning experience to a new level. The thought that he is no longer among us to share his passion for music and vast knowledge on the subject makes me sad. I wish I had the chance to meet him in person.

Thank you MPV for inviting Richard to be one of your leading trainers!

My deepest sympathy to his family and close friends.
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