Rich was my jazz piano teacher for a very short time while I went to UT Austin.  I ended up being too busy with my engineering degree to really dig in, but I remember how encouraging he was as I struggled through the basics.  I thought about him the other day and looked him up only to find that he passed away two years ago.  What a wonderful man.  

Dickey and I went to junior high together. At around 14 years old he was playing keyboards in his band, Purple Haze with Dave Olsen and Martin Cupp. I tried to keep up with him and finally made contact a few years ago and just today learned of his passing. I wish I had made time to see him play in Austin. My deepest condolences to his family and sister Sandy.
Jack Forcucci
San Antonio, Texas

Rich was the most open hearted man I’ve ever known. If you engaged him honestly, in no time he would open his life and his heart to you. He made real friends every where he went because he was always present to the possibility that everyone he met could be his friend. 
Dawn and I met him through our church family in the early 80’s. He became part of our family immediately. He didn’t drive. We often drove him to whatever gig or appointment or meeting he just had to get to. We were rewarded with non-stop stories of Rich’s adventures. We were rewarded with his laughter. We were rewarded with his unreserved love. 
We moved from Austin in 1986 but return at least once a year. When we’d see Rich, his face would light up with surprise and he’d laugh like he just got a present. 
Rich was a joy to know. We miss him. We will always miss him. 

Rich always played, and sang, with great honesty and beauty. He left us much too soon. But, the music of the next realm is beyond any on this plane, and he'll be sure to be playing it there.

I had the honor of being Rich's wife for 11 of the 13 years we were together.  Rich was my best friend, mentor and champion.  I got my start singing jazz with him.  We toured in Aspen together, wrote music together, and performed in Austin for many years doing club dates, concerts and live performances on KUT Radio. I would not be the person I am today without Rich's influence and deep friendship.  My heart is broken right now, but I know that in time, the memories I carry there will live on.  Rich, please save me a seat on the bandstand and we'll sing "The Art of Three" together for The Duke!  God speed you on your way, precious angel.

Stride on, dear Rich.
 😎🎶🎵🎹😎

I started going to see Rich play at the Elephant room in the 90's when I was in college at UT. I loved seeing him dig in and get completely swept up in the moment and his music. Then he'd sing with that almost otherworldly voice that was totally unique and so delicate and sweet. We got to know each other better years later when he started asking me to work as a music engraver/copyist for him. First he'd bring me paper copies, then later it was pictures of his originals he took on his phone. Although I didn't see him too often, we were always in contact working on his tunes. We got close as we pored over his hundreds of compositions. I was often humbled when he'd actually ask me for my thoughts on a chord change or a particular turn of phrase in one of his tunes - like he needed my help! The memory of him that is making me laugh out loud right now is how at the end of each phone call we'd have discussing his tunes, he'd say, or almost shout "SWINGIN!" 
Keep swingin' Rich!

I am deeply saddened by Rich’s passing. We were friends in junior high school in Champaign, IL., and then, forty years later, met up again at St. David’s Episcopal Church. He was a kind, sensitive, smart, and gentle man, a rare soul. His time on this earth has passed too quickly, but his loving and creative spirit will reverberate among us for many years. I send heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and closest friends, knowing that this sudden and unexpected loss must feel overwhelming. I am out of town until Sunday so I will very much miss attending his memorial celebration.

Heartbreaking news...
Faye and I met Rich right after moving to Austin in 1981. We started hanging out at Piggys on Congress to watch him play with an array of outstanding musicians. Down through the decades Rich and I took many late night walks discussing the width and breadth of this marvelous Creation we found ourselves in. If we passed a convenience store he would invariably get sweet rolls, donuts, Little Debbies (Im talking all at once) and proceed to feed them into that Rich Harney dynamo. He was funny. He was compassionate. He was so talented. His passing leaves a big hole in my world. See ya on the Flipside my friend.

My deep condolences to Maria and to others who love Rich so much. I can't remember when I first met Rich, but our paths crossed many times over the last 27 years or more. He was always kind, always made time for a real conversation, more than just a hello. A beautiful musician, known and revered for his piano playing, he had a singing voice that made people perk up their ears and listen. The first time I heard him sing at a gig, I looked toward the stage wondering where that voice was coming from. Likely I'm not the only one. I have been so moved to read the testimonies of the many musicians who saw him as a friend, a mentor, as family. He was all these things because of his generous heart. This is a terrible loss.

Rich asked me to “split” a gig with him at Tortuga on Anderson Lane. I think he wanted to  keep his gig there and also take another gig somewhere else, so I played a couple of nights a week and he did the rest. He would drop in just to listen and I was horribly intimidated, although he was always so gracious and complimentary. His left hand....oh my gosh. What came as such a surprise to me was his incredible singing voice. Chet Baker had nothing on Rich. I wish I could go hear him sing tonight. The angels welcome you home, Richie. They’ve been needing that left hand.

I will always remember Rich in the same way that most of us , who were fortunate enough to play with him and more importantly , get to engage with his beautiful and tremendously sweet spirit !
He was always so inviting, gracious and encouraging . I’ve had some of my most memorable experiences here in Austin , being on the bandstand with him and his smiling face , looking over with approval and being enraptured by his beautiful feel and choices .  Thank you Rich and the universe for allowing us to connect . Love You, J

I met Rich through my husband, Redd.  I found him to be sweet, caring and funny; a tremendous talent both vocally and with his piano/keyboards.  I remember sharing with him our funny and worst camping adventures.  He was always kind and considerate to me.  His talent and being will be greatly missed.  I am sorry not to be able to return to Austin for his memorial service.  I mourn his passing and yet smile at the creativity he shared.  I will miss his beautiful poetry.  My heart goes out to you and your family, Maria.  

I grew up listening to his music and later was lucky enough to be able to play with him, for many years, and in many different settings. He was a true mentor to me and I loved him like family, which I believed him to be. He was inspiring, kind, funny, wise—and so much more. We will all miss him terribly, but his music and spirit will live on forever. Rest In Peace, love and music, friend.

I can’t believe this news. I first met Rich back in the 70’s - his talents and his gentle spirit were apparent even then - thus he’s part of my Austin.  We lost touch for a very long time and just last year reconnected and resumed the piano lessons we had begun all those years ago. His generous spirit, (as well as his insights and knowledge), was nearly overwhelming.  Each session felt like  a little bit of divine inspiration. I’m so sad that he’s gone before. 

Rich was a sweet soul. I first met him in the 80s when we played next door to each other on Congress. We would swap sets with each other so I could play his Rhodes and he could play my acoustic grand. Most recently we would meet up for an occasional coffee and talk about poetry before we went to our church gigs. Rich truly was and is a musical saint.

OBITUARY

Rich Owen Harney

June 7, 1954 – January 5, 2020

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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