William Neil RICHARDS

Neil had contacted me in dec. as to whether I had any more paintings of my mothers that might be for sale, and I had wondered why he hadnt followed up with another email. I had met Neil on a few occasions, once in Melville, and he was one of my mother's early friends in the art world along with Joe Fafard, David Thauberger and Susan Whitney. One who unselfishly contributed in accord with his talents. Sask. was fortunate.

It is with sadness that I learned of Neil's passing. He was a kind and compassionate individual, gone too soon. Condolences to his family and dear friends.
Edna Wilson (retired Engineering Library)

Neil's work for the local gay community stretches back to those days when such efforts were the brave, stressful, and often unappreciated activities of the few who were willing to step up for justice. And that work continued not just for a brief time, but was a dedicated obsession for over four decades. Thank you, Neil, for what you did for the Saskatchewan community. So sorry your time was too short. Your family, though, should be very proud of your legacy.

I was saddened to hear of Neils passing, and the more I reflected the more I realized what a tremendous indeed, life-saving impact he had on me as a young closeted gay man in Saskatchewan in the 1980s. I have made a short video for my BookTube channel reflecting on and expressing my gratitude to him: https://youtu.be/KHDzQfgqiFY

Shawn Mooney

Doug was a very special member of our community and I was privileged to work with him on a number of occasions, back in the 80's when he was the first male to receive The GALA award at the Ukranian hall. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for collecting a rich history/herstory of LGBTQ2 and for his wise input in to many of our groups. Doug was a quiet and pensive person - he is a real loss to our rainbow family.

Barb clay

I was an 18-year-old baby dyke when I first met Neil in 1981 at the old Gay Community Centre on 3rd Ave. S. Out gay people on campus - who knew? Twenty years later our paths crossed again when I was newly employed at the U of S Archives and Neil was nearing retirement' from Special Collections. He certainly did not retire! He continued to come to work and scour eBay for gay-related material, movie posters and Saskatchewan postcards, among other neat interests. Neil regularly shared with me...

Jan and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Neil's death. Neil was an invaluable help to me during the initial years of Herstory: a Canadian Women's Calendar. As the first E.D. of AIDS Saskatoon he worked alongside us on the issue. I encountered him occasionally as a member of Saskatoon's l/b/g/t community. He was wonderful human being and tireless researcher for our community. I will always think of you in as rainbows bless us all. Erin Shoemaker

It was difficult to think that Neil's sweet chuckling laugh was gone, then I thought about it some more and I heard it again. I always admired Neil's work in the community. It was inspiring to see him work so diligently in our community, long before I ever had the courage to step up. Thanks, Neil, for holding open so many doors for the rest of us.