I met Richard Alf in the early days of the ComiCon and he was always friendly and pleasant. His death means that the top three movers and shakers in the founding of the Con are now gone since Ken Kreuger and Shel Dorf both died a couple of years ago. Shel was sweet and kind, Ken was raunchy and fun, Richard was happy and enthusiastic. Richard was there with a deep pocket (earned by buying and selling comics) when the con was founded, even though he was just a teenager. Shel had the ideas and contacts and Ken handled the details of organizing but Richard made it possible with his generosity.

I saw Richard but did not speak to him several cons ago but he had his trademark grin. I'm not sure I would have recognized him without it.

He'll be missed by family and friends and hundreds of thousands of con goers; and even people who never met him but won't know what they missed.

Hugs to all,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.