In a transitional period of my life from teenager to young adulthood, I moved to Tucson where I roomed with my brother Austin, and Richard. With Richard being so close to my older brother, he took me in as if I was a little sister of his own. I am not one to quickly open up to people, but Richard instantly made me feel comfortable by talking with me often, asking me lots of questions about myself, and of course, making me laugh hysterically. It was also very gracious of him to be okay with me moving into what was such a tiny space for the three of us to share. 

I have many fond memories of Richard. Even though I have not spoken directly with him in many years, there are so many things that remind me of him and frequently quote silly little things he has said. I had hoped to see Richard again one day and I deeply regret now that I do not have that chance. 

Richard, I hope you know how much you are missed and loved. Your energy and positivity always lit up the room. Thank you for being a part of my life during a time I was figuring it all out. I am so grateful I got to share those exceptionally fun and youthful years with you. Those memories will always have a special place in my heart and so will you. Rest easy my dear friend.

I met Richard in Tucson and was drawn to him, frankly, because of how different he was. Other than his dapper wardrobe, the wasn't much about him that fit the mold of an undergraduate business major.. but that's what made him so cool. We became close friends quickly and eventually were roommates for about three years. During that time I learned so much from him. He embodied grace and humility, and was one of the most generous people I've ever met. He was also absolutely hilarious, I wish I could hear one of his perfect Southern accent renditions, or one of his freestyle raps with the most obscure references one more time. He had a number of ups and downs over the time we were close, but I'll always remember his persevering spirit. I love you and miss you, buddy.

I was so saddened to find out about Richard's passing.  To say I knew him well would be inaccurate.  I'm the owner of a small staffing/recruiting firm and I first met Richard in person a number of years ago to talk with him about some opportunities.  Somehow I think we both clicked with each other and I was always sure to stay in contact with him every few months.  He was an impressive, capable yet very pleasant person and whenever we spoke with each other it was usually for a long time for some easy casual conversation beyond employment opportunities.  What a great guy.  I feel blue to know that he's gone so I can only imagine how those friends, family and close colleagues must feel.  My condolences to you all.
John Dorning
The People Connection

I am so sad to hear about Richard's passing. I only knew Richard briefly, as we met in late December 2023 by connecting online over a shared passion for aromatics and fragrance. As it turned out, we lived so close to one another—I toward the top of Nob Hill and Richard toward the bottom, near the water.

We met twice; I ended up purchasing some extraordinarily beautiful Saudi Arabian rose oil from Richard. Both times we met, Richard was exceptionally generous to me, sharing copious aromatic ingredients and samples. He would chat with me on WhatsApp, asking about my impressions of the ingredients he shared, what my favorites were, and how I might use them in blends.

The last time I saw him, in February, he shared with me beautiful jasmine essential oils that he sourced from a family farm in India. I will use these ingredients to compose a fragrance blend in his memory, and each time I wear it I'll think of him.

I express my sincerest condolences to Richard's family and close friends. Even though Richard and I hardly knew one other, I was struck at length by his generosity and kindness, and that is exactly how I will remember him. May he find peace everlasting.

Chris

Richard to me was like an older brother, he was a close friend and taught me so much about living life with passion and joy. When I arrived in San Francisco in 2018, I didnt know anyone, but Richard helped make it feel like a home as my roommate. It was just in his nature to help others and take care of people. He set a bar for a friend so impossibly high, in the special way only Richard could. More than sadness, I am grateful I was able to meet Richard and share those moments with him, as he was a person with limitless potential. Thank you for everything, my dear friend Richard. You can rest easy now.

I spoke about this at Richard’s memorial service, and I would like to share it again for those who couldn’t be there.

I only knew Richard for a few weeks while he worked temporarily as the Office Manager at Kearns & West. We both started in January and we bonded as fellow newbies. Despite his being new to the firm, he helped organize our retreat and I marveled at how well he took care of the details… and us. 

Part of the retreat involved a hike at the end of the first day, and my colleague who was about five months pregnant at the time and I were the slow pokes and headed back early once we saw a huge hill that we needed to climb in order to get to the beach, which was our destination. On our way back we met up with Richard, who was heading down to the beach but instead chose to turn back and walk with us to the starting point instead of continuing on to join the others. Our return walk was leisurely, and our conversation was fairly intimate, allowing us to get to know each other in a way that would have been impossible in the office. I told Richard how exceptional I thought he was, and Richard humbly brushed off the compliment.

During our walk, we had a surprising encounter with a young bobcat lounging on the trail. It allowed us to admire its beauty before it disappeared into the woods. This brief but beautiful moment now reminds me of Richard—though our time together was short, his impact was profound and lasting.

To Richard’s parents and family, I extend my deepest gratitude for sharing such a remarkable person with us. Richard’s gentle spirit and humility have left an indelible mark on me, and I hope he has found peace.

Richard was a bright breath of fresh air in the office to start the new year... He was physically and emotionally present for us not only as a company, but as a team, as individuals, always ready to take on new tasks and never needing a handhold. We have Richard to thank for a successful Office Retreat and the onboarding of multiple new team members – something he was able to do without receiving onboarding himself. He was a self-starter with too many quirky and fascinating little entrepreneurial tricks up his sleeve, and I feel honored to have tasted his homemade juices and bartered blackberries. Every single person in this office had the opportunity to meet Richard and I know his positive energy and care for the people and systems around him was evident to those around him. If you haven’t taken a moment this week to mourn his passing and remember how he was truly a member of this team, and how unfair it is that someone so young should have to leave this world, I hope you can find the time to do so and find the time to do so and honor his contributions to our lives. Rest in Peace, Richard. Thanks for being there for us, even for a short while! 
____
Let me also share a few thoughts and memories of Richard. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. He carried such a gentle, happy, and peaceful spirit with him. Every time the lights would go off in the SF office, he would stand up and smile from ear to ear. It was impossible to not also smile. 

I learned he was a fellow half-Pakistani and definitely had that small business gene. Every few weeks we’d learn of another business Richard had going. All of them fascinating, all of them creative. I wasn’t surprised to learn he’d landed a position at a hedge fund. I suspect they saw that spark in him.

I’m grateful for his care for us all and his happy spirit. He truly respected the work of the people in this office and spoke often about your sense of purpose. 

Thinking of Richard, and his family, and wishing them peace.

Richard joined our firm to manage our San Francisco office. He wasn't here a long time, but he was such a fantastic colleague and connected so well with all of us.  We are all so deeply sorry to lose Richard. 

We held a remembrance of Richard on Monday. I described him like Mary Poppins - he came into our lives, changed the way our office worked, brought cheer and good energy, planned our staff retreat, and now we're left with a hole. 

Others also shared funny and sweet memories of Richard, and a couple of people shared written notes that I've included with another photo of Richard and our team.

I was blessed to know Richard both in Arizona and when we moved around the same time to SF. Rich was a great listener and had a way of being a supreme hype man; he’d make you feel really good about yourself.  He would help out to DJ weddings for a few years and I have lots of great memories of those road trips. A couple years later he was really into rose oil (if you know you know) and I also have some hilarious stories of him having entire dance floors incensed with it.

I’ll never forget those late nights at the Battery roof, trips to the Punchline to see a random comedy show on a Tuesday, and just Rich. Love you buddy.

Words cannot describe the pain and sorrow the entire family has gone through due to the passing of our beloved Richard Muliyil. 
Just when I needed them most my tears stopped rolling....maybe it was severe trauma  of the tragedy.
I have cried within and I continue to do so
Richard was one in a million with that forever smile which I shall miss that dearly. 
I only had to mention to my beloved nephew  that I was searching for my favorite aftershave (Gucci Envy)..the company had discontinued  it and was difficult to find and was very expensive...he told me not to worry and he would find it for and he sure did....I will always  remember the day when he walked into our home and handed me the aftershave....he refused to take any money from me and that my friends was Richard....
I shall miss him dearly....God has a special place for him...we love you my boy.
The next time

I’m so sorry. I so enjoyed Richard’s. Guessing the weight of how many carrots he bought from us each week at the ferry plaza farmers market. I really appreciated the juice almost every week for a few years. I’ll always think of you Richard when I smell roses. Your friends, Wayne, and Lee James from Tierra Vegetables.

Richard was a beautiful, warm, caring person with an easy smile. He was easy to talk with and always made me feel like he was truly involved in our conversations. I'm heartbroken about his death. He leaves behind a hole in all our hearts. It's an unbearable loss for his family and friends. He will definitely live on in everyone's hearts.

Love, prayers, and hugs,

Blair Moses

I’ll never forget the fishing trips, the walks to Shepard pool, making my first song at your house, eating the neighbor’s lemons because we were locked out, making Navin play resident evil while we hid behind the blankets,  your effortless jokes and the way you laughed at them because you knew how funny you were, the way you knocked on Sadie’s nose,  and the way all of us looked up to you because you were unapologetically you.

My fonder memories of my younger days was playing video games on the computer and laughing at the silliest things with you and all our cousins. We were all always laughing and it was just the best.  You were definitely the coolest cousin and frankly, the coolest kid I ever knew growing up. Today, one of my most treasured memory will now be the last night all us cousins got to spend together again just a few months ago. It was a beautiful night spent catching up, exchanging life updates,  and of course, laughing. I hope you knew how much you were loved by all of us Richard. I am going to miss you so much. I love you and I can’t wait for more laughs with you on the other side. Until then, rest in peace cousin.  XO, Sharmila.

OBITUARY

Richard John Muliyil

October 1, 1987 – April 1, 2024

San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home

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