Richard Michael Abbott, commonly known as Dick Abbott to friends and associates and as Bubba to his grandchildren, peacefully passed away on the morning of Wed. Dec. 2, 2020. He had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Dick is survived by his loving wife and soulmate Lois, son Steven (Je), daughter Lori (John) and grandchildren Steven, Landon, Michael, Kristen, and sister in law Patricia (Wayne), and numerous nieces and nephews. Dick had an amazing life. He was born on July 12, 1935 to Lillian and Gordon Abbott and was raised with two sisters and one brother. He moved with his family to New Westminster at the age of 6 and it was there that he grew up. Close friends growing up included Harry Nelson and later, Steve Onderko. When he went to New Westminster Junior High School, he developed a passion for music that would last a lifetime, and learned to play the alto sax, clarinet and flute. Stan Kenton was his idol. It was here in junior high school that he was awarded the Good Citizenship Column, having been selected out of 1500 students citywide, and won the boys trophy for the New Westminster Inter-High Fall Track Meet Championship. It was also at age 16 when he started working at CKNW in the music library. He attended the Duke of Connaught High School where he excelled in sports, particularly basketball, and played on the team coached by the legendary Ken “Hooker” Wright that won the BC Provincials 3 years in a row. It was at these Provincials wherein 1952 Dick was chosen as a 2nd team BC Allstar and in 1953 as a 1st team BC Allstar. He played on the team in 1951 when the Dukes won the Western Canadian High School Basketball Championship, and in 1952 got to play against a California team featuring future NBA star and Hall of Famer, Bill Russell. Dick also excelled at senior men’s softball (fastpitch) as a pitcher, catcher and outfielder. It was common for him to pitch a 2-3 hit game.
In 1954, Dick took a year of Arts at UBC and then went to Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles to study music for a year. Close friends also from New Westminster included Arnie Chycoski and Ray Sikora. Upon returning to New Westminster, Richard, who had seen Lois before at rival high school Trap Tech, saw her walking home one evening and offered her a ride. Hence the love story began. 3 months later they were engaged and married on Dec. 14, 1956. Having returned to work at CKNW, Dick began his career in radio and as a recording engineer. He started recording jingles and commercials and it was not long before he became Production Manager. He made many great friends at CKNW such as Bill Hughes, Erm Fiorillo, David Hoole, Jack Cullen, Norm Grohman, Hal Davis, Tony Antonius, Pat McPherson, Paul Preston, Mel Cooper and Frank Griffiths. He went on to work at The Spot Shop with David Hoole and then spent many years at Little Mountain Sound Recording Studio where he also made many close friends such as Miles Ramsay, Corlyn Ramsay, Brian Griffiths, Brian “Hoot” Gibson, Howie Vickberg, Ted Bishop, Peter Clarke, Murray Price, Bob Rock, Mike Fraser, Ron Obvious, Pat Glover, Chris Taylor, Agnes Winlaw, Marcel Duperreault and the list goes on. He enjoyed working with many talented actors, announcers and singers such as Jim Conrad, Bill Reiter, Raymond Burr, Jack Palance, Martin Sheen, David Foster, Gene Hackman, Phil Hayes, Joanie Taylor and Nancy Nash. Again, the list goes on. He then went on to start up Dick and Rogers with Roger Monk where he also worked with Todd Araki, and from where he finally retired. He was considered by many in the recording industry to be the best recording engineer in his field in North America.
But Dick’s first love was his family, to whom he was completely devoted. He was an incredible father to Steven and Lori, attending every milestone in their lives as well as spending countless hours with them, coaching hockey, lacrosse and softball and just hanging out. He was their hero and best friend. He was also a devoted and loving grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He was the patriarch of the family, the pillar of strength and wisdom, always there when they needed him and was their soft place to fall. In his latter years, Dick enjoyed reading, learning about WW2 history, writing music, taking piano lessons with longtime friend Lloyd Abrams, and working on model airplanes. He also enjoyed contributing to a historical museum for radio and loved playing in the New Westminster and District Concert Band with Fred and Kerry Turner and John White.
No words can describe what a huge loss losing Richard is for his family. But, as he himself said only three weeks ago, “I’ve had a great life.” And to quote what a wise woman once said of him, “they don’t come any better than Dick Abbott.”
Many heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. James Scott, Dr. Ian Fleetwood, Dr. Wayne Shtybel and the nursing staff of 6 South at Victoria General Hospital for their care of Dick during his last hospital admission.
A Funeral Service for Dick will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 2 PM for invited guests to attend in person. All others are invited to join us virtually using the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/93097171430?pwd=TUF1NWdjK1hvenVTaVlGUEl4VlU2dz09
Please enable your video if possible so that family in attendance can see you and feel your support.
Condolences may also be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Susan Henry (formerly Stacey)
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Jim Vallance I saw Dick nearly every day for 10 or 15 years. I was usually working in Studio A or B at the back of Little Mountain Sound and Dick was in his audio suite at the front. He always had a big smile and a warm greeting. A lovely, humble man and a giant talent with the highest standards, revered by the other engineers and technicians at LMS, many of whom he mentored.
I’m very grateful to have known Dick. He was one of a kind. Irreplaceable.
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Nancy NasH Dick windmilled me on a couple occasions. I still have the photo catching a flyball with my eyes closed. Yes he never spoke an unkind word and all loved him. A giant heart … I am so happy to know he was tight with Yeshua. Life is much easier here having Jesus but even better after. As Mikey said Happy Trails dear Dick and will see you again on the ball diamond of heaven.
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Peter Clarke Lori, Lois, Steve and family.
Coach was a special person in my life, both in the studio and on the ball field. I will always hold a place for him in my heart.I have never met anyone that talented, yet giving and humble. I owe him so much. Miss you, Coach.
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Marcel Duperreault Lori, It was a great honor and pleasure to know and work with your father. I have nothing but respect for him and I am grateful that he passed on (some of) his knowledge to me. Not only the tech geek stuff, but also the way he creatively worked with talent and his clients. He will be missed but not forgotten.
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Angela Ramsay Lois, Steven and Lori-
Im so sorry for your loss.
I know Dick and my dad Miles are up there kicking back and listening to some great music!
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Paul Belserene I am so sad to hear that Dick is no longer available to those of us living, speaking, singing, communicating on earth. Dick was one of a kind, a masterful ear, a engaged heart, with the patience to help people like me, whose ears were garbage, to touch the hearts of others. In my life there’s never been anyone like Dick, and it saddens me that the world is without him now. But I’ll never forget his smile and his magic ears, and as long as I live, they live too.
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Ron Blouin Always a smile, always enthusiastic, always more than happy to describe the nuances of the mix between talk of fastball and hockey. Thank you Dick for all you have passed on to us.
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Pat Glover Dear Lois. Lori, Steve and Families.
My sincerest condolences to you all for your loss. I had the absolute privilege to work with Dick early in my career at Little Mountain. He was one of my top Mentors and to this day I still use some of the recording techniques and methods that he taught me. Things you just can’t read in a book. An amazing talent who became a good friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
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Ted Bishop Dick was a wonderful man with a wonderful family. I started to work with GGRP in 1975. We often worked with Dick in the studio with actors and artist it’s from all over the globe. Comedians like Jonathon Winters, Pat Harrington, and Gary Owens. Legends from film and television like Raymond Burr, Lorne Green and Jack Palance.I was only there for some, but it was easy to see the trust and confidence these people had for Dick.
Dick also worked with quite a few names from the world of rock and roll with artists, producers and engineers all passing through his door. Some of the greatest music makers grew their skills and knowledge from Dick, some of those writing on this page.
All Dick’s family were known at the office , wife Lois, son Steve and daughter Lori. I always thought Lori would become professional because Dick was a well known sportsman as a younger man, Steve had a hockey scholarship and Lori was the backbone of the not quite infamous GGRP Softball team.But Lori became a police officer and a. Nurse, A wife to John and a mother to four Dick Abbott grandchildren.
Dick you were very much loved from a very wide cast of people. You will live on in our hearts and in our minds.
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Jim Byrnes My sincere condolences. Working with Dick was always such a pleasure his knowledge, professionalism, and support always lifted my game. He will be truly missed. May his name be a blessing.
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Darrel Shee First, my sincere condolences to Dick’s immediate and extended family on the loss of a truly kind, generous and accomplished man who will be missed and always remembered by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. His unmatched skills and precision as a recording engineer and producer were equalled only by rhe joy and unbridled enthusiam he brought to every recording session. Always finding ways to make a good session even better. He was a great guy to work with and an even better man to have known.
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George Crookshank My first memories of Mr Abbott was first as a hockey dad, as passionate about the game as anyone that I knew. Later I got to know him as Dick – the best sound engineer in the city, first at GGRP and later at Dick & Rogers. He mentored me as a new advertising rookie, teaching me the business from his perspective. I know I was only one of the many young ad guys, sound engineers, and sound talent that he motivated and encouraged over the years. I was grateful for his experience and guidance…and for his ability to make me laugh out loud every time I saw him.
I am grateful to have known him and privileged to have worked with him for many years.
Sending you all my deepest sympathy and support
George
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Murray Price Dear Lois, Lori and Steve
My condolences to you and your families.
There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t feel a special connection to Dick. Such a presence and influence he had in my life during a very formative time at Little Mountain Sound, and beyond. He continues to be the benchmark for all the creative work I do.
Sad for his loss, so grateful for his gifts
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Mike Fraser This is sad news indeed. From the day I started as a janitor at Little Mountain, DIck was one of the first people there to encourage and help me. He always had a kind word and loved to share his his recording techniques with me, even though (in those beginning years) I didn’t know what he was even talking about. haha What a kind gentle soul he was. Happy trails DIck, thank you for everything ….. you will be sorely missed.
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Todd Araki I consider myself singularly blessed to have spent so much of my early career in the presence of a true legend.
Pioneer. Mentor. Teacher. Pizza lover ( and sharer ) Ride home together and try not to talk shop but fail ( epic fails ! ) driver. Musician. Colleague. Friend.
Dick was so generous with his time and genuinely enjoyed sharing his infinite knowledge and expertise with those of us who were fortunate enough to be beginning our careers in his sphere of influence. He touched and influenced so many people. I am forever grateful for his kindness and friendship. My heartfelt condolences to Lois, Steve, Lori and families.
Peace.
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Garry chalk Dear Lori and roger and all the people whose lives Dick touched . I met Dick many years ago doing voice overs I was very new to the job and dick was so supportive and kind . Over the years I have worked so much with him and all the people mentioned earlier. Dick was a master in the studio an artist and I never once saw him get rattled or lose his cool. A one of a kind and a true gentleman I will miss him terribly .
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Jim Conrad Dick was a great friend and mentor, as well as an amazing storyteller!
Our sessions together always began with a story from his incredible vault
of tales. Working with and knowing Dick Abbott has made me a better person, and I am so grateful for the privilege of being his friend.
My condolences to all his family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
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Helen Morgan ( Onderko ) I was deeply saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. Reading the obituary brought back memories of school
Days and times when Dick came to our house to see Steve. Dick was a special man.I will always remember what a great support Dick was when my brother Steve passed away.
My sincere condolences to Lois and the family.
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Diana Mclaren Dear Lois Steve Lori and family . It was a pleasure and honour to of gotten to know your husband / father . His love for Lois was heart warming and when he spoke of his children and grandchildren his eyes sparkled !Thank you Dick for impacting my life , you will be truly missed .
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David Hoole To Lois, Steven and Lori:
It is difficult indeed to find a man, particularly a man of accomplishment, about whom all who knew him speak only praise, only respect, only affection. Such a rare and singular man was Dick. Such ability he had, such talent, expertise and flair, such generosity of spirit and warmth of character. Yet he deployed his gifts with such humility and passion that he inspired only the love and gratitude of those he touched and taught. I am one of those, for which I am eternally grateful, and I count the day I met Dick, October 1st, 1969, as one of the luckiest days of my life. And December 20th, 2020, as one of the saddest.
To Dick:
Thanks for everything. Even now, 51 years later, I could still wind a cart and wield a splicing block. It sank in…
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Alvin Wasserman An amazing and totally admirable partner in his studio. I spent many an hour beside him as he made good better, and better perfect. He shared his knowledge and talents without reservation and showed me among many others what mentorship was all about. He loved his work and could be equally proud of a finely tuned 39 second comedic commercial or a full length documentary soundtrack. His enthusiasm was infectious, his patience for difficult clients and uneven days from the talent on the other side of the glass was remarkable. I will always remember his smile when he would say something like “ you happy? I’ll take it from here.”
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Roger Monk Lori, It was good to hear your voice again after so many years – boy you sound so much like your mother. Thank you for letting me know. It was indeed sad news. The list of names in the obituary bought back a flood of memories, many leaders in their field, and Dick was certainly a leader in his field. It was a privilege to work alongside him on numerous projects from 1976 till his retirement. My condolences to you all.
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Brian Antonson Lois, Steven, and Lori:
Dick was mentor to me and so many others, hiring me into the NW family as I was yet a student at BCIT, and guiding my development in the production department, so it can be said he started my career…in 1967. And I succeeded him as production director when he left for Little Mountain Sound in 1974. What a guy, what a producer, what a guide…and his passing will be mourned by many in our different communities. Sincere condolences to you all on the passing of a grand guy who influenced so many.
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Bob Mutis So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing; the world of commercial recording, and all of us who were blessed to know and work with him, are the poorer off. Very sincere condolences to Dick’s large and loving family.
I was thinking about Dick recently (because I was reading something that mentioned Murder by Milkshake, and remembered that Dick had told me about working with the guy at CKNW). I worked with him, from time to time, in the late ’70s to the early ’90s, when I was in advertising. It’s hard to imagine that there has been anyone as well-loved as Dick. His patience, his humbleness, his kindness, his dedication to excellence and his basic, unabashed decency are probably legendary in those who knew him. I think I also remember him praising Lois for having the patience of Job with him, as he really gave his all to his work. I am so glad to have known him. My heart goes out to his family, who lost a truly wonderful soul.