A Western Bay of Plenty councillor is being remembered as “extremely caring, devoted to his community”.

Maketū-Te Puke councillor Richard Crawford passed away Sunday morning after suffering a heart attack while cycling in the Redwoods in Rotorua last Saturday.

His death will leave a “big void,” says close friend and former Maketū Community Board chairman Shane Beech.

He described Richard as “extremely caring, devoted to the community and volunteer services”.

A former chair of the Te Puke Community Board, Richard was also a member of the Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade for 13 years – which is how he met Beech.

“He volunteered his time and he just kept going and going.”

Totally committed

Richard, an avid fisherman, once had his boat break down at sea and had to be towed in by coastguard with Shane a member.

“It was a rather embarrassing moment for him, but quite a laugh for us.”

Te Puke fire chief Dale Lindsay says Richard’s death has “rocked the core of our brigade”.

Richard Crawford served 13 year on the Te Puke volunteer fire brigade. Photo: Supplied.

The 66-year-old joined the brigade in 2009 and quickly became an integral part of the team, says Dale.

“He was a totally committed, he pretty much immersed himself in everything he did.”

Richard’s enthusiasm and positivity permeated everything he did, says Dale.

Even after leaving in 2022 Richard stayed in close contact with the brigade and would often turn up to medical calls if the brigade needed him.

Master networker 

Dale says it was tough to lose Richard from the service but after becoming a councillor in 2022 something had to give.

He also admired his “master networking” abilities.

This sentiment is mirrored by Chrissi Robinson, who is general manager of The Daily Charitable Trust which Richard helped found.

He was a “visionary for the birth” of the community organisation that runs a not-for-profit café and provides lunches to more than 2000 children on weekdays.

“Richard loved to walk into a room of friends or strangers...he was our ‘schmoozer’.

“He genuinely loved people.

"We are really going to miss his encouragement.”

Richard’s brother Chris remembers them growing up in Mount Maunganui as “beach bums” that loved to surf.

One of six siblings and the youngest of four brothers, The Crawford boys were never far apart and would help out on their dad’s milk run before dawn each morning, says Chris.

Sorely missed

He attended Mount Maunganui Primary School and loved playing hockey.

As an adult he started his own building company, continued to surf, loved jetski fishing and cycling.

Richard met his wife Julie in Texas even though they both grew up in the Mount.

They have four children and three grandchildren.

Mayor James Denyer says council is “shattered by the news” of Richard’s passing.

“His contribution at council and previously on the Te Puke Community Board was significant and his commitment to community organisations in Te Puke was much valued.

"He will be sorely missed.”

Richard’s funeral is at The Orchard Church in Te Puke today, April 5, at 1pm.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.