RIP – Richard Rogan
See The Times Obituary (free for the weekend) by clicking here.
I am very sad to share with you the news that the Times crossword editor Richard Rogan has died.
If you solved his Bannsider puzzles in the Independent or Aragon puzzles in The Listener, you will know that Richard was up there with the very, very best clue-writers of our age; his is a terrible loss to our community.
If and when I receive any further details I will post them here.’
What a loss, one of the best setters ever.
Bannsider is a name I had almost forgotten over the years since his last puzzle in the Indy (December 2015?) but I do remember the pleasure of solving his puzzles. I wondered what he had been doing since then. Sorry tohear of his passing. RIP.
Didn’t do many of his puzzles, but he will be a great loss to the cruciverbal community.
Bannsider was one of the toughest Indy setters but I remember my tussles with his puzzles in his regular Saturday spot as always fun, never a slog. So sad to pass at such a young age. Condolences to his family.
I was lucky enought to have known Richard.
Aside from being utterly brilliant at setting, technically and creatively, he was a delightful and humble man – a very fair and consistent editor too, of the Times crossword.
With love and respect, RIP Richard.
John
I was so very sad to hear this awful news. I only met Richard once, but that was enough to realise what a lovely bloke he was. Our email exchanges also confirmed what a sharp and astute editor he was. My sincere condolences to Richard’s family and friends. RIP. G
My condolences to his family as a casual solver of Times I am sure I solved one of his puzzles.
I approached Bannsider puzzles with much trepidation, not because they were unfair, but because they were so cleverly constructed.
My condolences to his family and friends on the passing away of someone who inspired so much respect and enjoyment in the field of battling wits, as well as so much else, I am sure.
Sad to hear. Rest in peace.
The Times setters’ lunch, scheduled for the 19th June, has been postponed due to recent sad events. However, the word is that the meet for the Times For The Times bloggers and posters will go ahead, on Saturday 15th June, from 12 noon.
I’m sure there are many here who take an interest in Times puzzles, or who were admirers of the Bannsider puzzles, in The Independent, which appeared regularly until Richard took over as Times Crossword Editor some ten years ago. So please do come along next Saturday afternoon and raise a glass if you are so minded.
RIP RR, a fantastic compiler, fantastic editor, and fantastically good bloke.
Paul B at #10, has said it all really. Condolences to Malika and Liam
Paul@10 I’ve just rearranged my Saturday and will hopefully see you there
Very sorry to hear this. Didn’t know Richard personally but used to love his Bannsider puzzles in the Indy. A truly brilliant setter.
Condolences to the family.
paul b@10 and crypticsure@12. Glad you were able to make it to our TimesforTheTimes do on Saturday. It was a good gathering, wasn’t it?