Final farewell to tragic airport boss

Feb 23 2007

THE great and good of the Birmingham business world paid their last respects to Richard Heard at a moving memorial service.

Birmingham International Airport's managing director was killed on January 18 when a tree smashed into the windscreen of his car as gales battered the West Midlands.

His death sent shockwaves through the region's business community who gathered yesterday for the memorial service at Symphony Hall.

As the performers stepped up on to the stage, the crowd fell into a hush as soothing music came softly out of the speakers.

Several hundred people who under normal circumstances would have been working in boardrooms or offices attended the memorial.

The Rt Rev David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, said: "We are all still coming to terms with life without Richard," recalling how Mr Heard was one of the first people to greet him at the airport when he flew in to take up his new post in the city.

And he was followed by a host of speakers paying testament to Mr Heard's talent, friendliness and drive that made him one of the region's most successful businessman.

Mr Heard's widow Kay described her husband as a "truly special man" with a sense of humour.

"His death and his life touched so many people.

"The girls and I talk about him every day, and we still laugh about the things he did.

"It was a standing joke in our house that Richard had two families. The second family was the airport and the people who work there."

Onlookers wiped away tears as Mrs Heard spoke calmly but passionately about the man she had met as a student at Southampton University about 25 years before.

"Richard always said you've not here long and you've got to make the most of it, and he was right.

"He had very few regrets."