Richard Sale – In Memoriam

Richardsale

Richard Sale

Richard died last night of pancreatic cancer.  He had suffered with that for three years.  He was a dear personal friend and until his last illness wrote often for SST.  pl 

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48 Responses to Richard Sale – In Memoriam

  1. JJackson says:

    I very sorry to hear that. Richard’s anecdotes, and general thoughts, were always interesting and enlightening. It was always a pleasure to see a post of his appear.

  2. J says:

    Pat,
    My deepest condolences on the loss of your friend. One of his pieces he wrote here at SST has even greater merit today in this climate of ‘fear’ that has encompassed the globe.
    Scared to Death: the Dominion of Fear in Politics
    May he Rest In Peace.

  3. Artemesia says:

    Rest in peace, Richard Sale.
    I read and enjoyed many of his writings.
    Thank you for having introduced him to your readers, Col. Lang

  4. Tyler says:

    Til Valhalla.

  5. Barbara Ann says:

    I’m very sorry to hear this news. Richard’s writings on SST were always enjoyably and frequently profound. My condolences Colonel, you were fortunate to have such a friend.

  6. BillWade says:

    Very sorry to hear this, he was well liked.

  7. raven says:

    Even though I’m banned I especially enjoyed reading Mr Sale’s posts. Fair winds.

  8. Babak Makkinejad says:

    I regret very much learning of Mr. Sale’s death.
    I recall his rumminative essays and observation on this forum.
    His was a view point that I would not have been able to find anywhere else but here.
    Every death diminishes me…

  9. Eric Newhill says:

    Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your close friend.

  10. Laura Wilson says:

    I am so sorry to hear this. I always read his posts with care…the way they were written. My condolences to you as his friend.

  11. The Beaver says:

    So sorry to learn about the passing of Richard. My sincere sympathies to Colonel Lang for the loss of his dear friend as well as to his family. Always looked forward to read his posts even the reruns of some posts ( his experiences in Iran were very informative).
    May he Rest in Peace.

  12. Haralambos says:

    All on SST
    I have been a long-time reader and occasional commenter. I send my condolences to all here who knew him personally. I valued his comments and reflections on the various topics he shared with us.

  13. David Solomon says:

    I am so very, very sorry to read this news. I loved reading Richard’s columns for SST.

  14. ambrit says:

    Sir;
    I always read one of his essays when I saw it come out. He will be missed as a man who thought deeply about things.
    Condolences.

  15. walrus says:

    My condolence. I didn’t always agree with him but I respected his honesty and genuine writing. He is missed.

  16. Valissa says:

    Pancreatic cancer is rough. Since the average life expectancy is 4-8 months unless you are lucky enough to catch it early, have good genes, or a fabulous doctor… that he lived 3 years with it is amazing. One of my classmates from high school died from pancreatic cancer over 3 years ago, about 6 months after her diagnosis. She was 59.
    I always enjoyed Richard’s contributions. An old school gentleman of a bygone era of journalism. So sorry to hear about his passing, and my condolences on the loss of a dear friend.

  17. TonyL says:

    Rest in peace, Richard.

  18. AK says:

    Same thing took my father 10 years ago. He made it 13 months in a gallant, grueling fight. Three years with that disease is a crucible unlike any other that I could imagine. I always enjoyed Mr. Sale’s writing. It came from a place of intense and profound experience, and his strong principles were always something to admire. May he rest in peace and may his family and friends find solace in his freedom from the suffering.

  19. A.I.S. says:

    My condolesences.
    Rest in peace.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7L-VffHBo

  20. Vegetius says:

    Sorry about your friend, Sir.

  21. This is sad news indeed. Richard was a fine writer and his fine soul showed in his writings. He will be missed and, more importantly, fondly remembered through his writings.

  22. Stueeeeee says:

    My condolences, Sir.

  23. JamesT says:

    I will miss his contributions to SST. Rest in peace.

  24. JMH says:

    The closing paragraphs of Mr. Sale’s “Age of Intolerance” are beautiful, prescient and eloquent. Rest well Mr. Sale.

  25. Horace says:

    Rest in peace, Richard Sale.

  26. Deap says:

    I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing your reverence for his life, his valiant struggles and his esteemed contributions.

  27. Fred says:

    My condolences to Richard’s family and friends.

  28. Jack says:

    I’m sorry to hear that Mr. Sale has passed. I enjoyed his writings and insight which he gratefully shared with us.
    Another Richard, rock’n’roll legend Little Richard just passed too.

  29. Ishmael Zechariah says:

    Sad news. I valued his writings and will miss his contributions.
    My condolences to all pilgrims.
    Ishmael Zechariah

  30. DH says:

    My condolences on the loss of your dear friend.

  31. He will be missed, whenever he wrote here it was interesting and eloquent. Rest in peace good sir.

  32. Mac says:

    Colonel,
    Saddened with the passing of Richard Sale, my condolences. I will miss him.
    Mac

  33. David Habakkuk says:

    Like ‘walrus’, I didn’t always agree with Richard Sale, but he was a sane and civilised voice from whom I learnt much. Condolences.

  34. John I says:

    So sorry to hear this sad news. Richard’s contributions to the Committee will be missed. Rest in peace, good sir.

  35. harper says:

    I had the privilege of knowing Richard since the 1980s when he did groundbreaking work for UPI on KGB penetration of the Mossad. It was in the context of the Pollard affair. We had many occasions to speak by phone and had a number of face-to-face meetings when he moved to Connecticut and was still writing excellent material on the Middle East. His book on the Kosovo War was groundbreaking. He was a wonderful journalist, a grand story-teller, a delightful drinking partner and an all around fine human being. He will be sorely missed. I had hoped to see him in North Carolina during my travels but the COVID-19 short-circuited a number of plans. I regret not having a final chance to sit with him face to face.

  36. Steve G says:

    My condolences also.
    Enjoyed his observational
    Commentaries. Was gracious
    Many times to reply to my
    Comments.

  37. Farooq says:

    Really enjoyed his writings. Rest in peace Richard.

  38. Harry says:

    Im sorry to hear about Mr. Sale. He wrote exceedingly well. My condolences, Sir.
    May he rest in peace.

  39. optimax says:

    What impressed me most about Mr. Sales writing was the strength of his moral character. No matter who or what he wrote about he3 never wavered in his moral strength. Sorry to hear he’s gone.

  40. ex-PFC Chuck says:

    He and his lucid writing will be missed. My sympathies to his family.

  41. Paul Escobar says:

    To all,
    Reading his autobiographical pieces over the years, I thought his life was worthy of a movie or TV series.
    President Trump says Hollywood ain’t what it used to be. Mr. Sale revealed it probably wasn’t what we thought.
    ‘The Athenaeum’ (the “club house” adjacent to this saloon) has some of my favorite works of his.
    R.I.P & thank you Mr. Sale,
    PE

  42. Serge says:

    Very sad to hear this, and that he suffered with this disease, I will reread some of my favorite posts of his and discover others that I have missed over the years. He is missed.

  43. fanto says:

    My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I value Richard Sale´ articles highly. RIP.

  44. English Outsider says:

    I am sorry you have lost a friend. His was strong writing. This piece stayed with me and I went back and found it –
    https://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2018/05/us-marines-shot-to-kill-by-richard-sale.html#more
    I had a relative in construction who got out fast at that time. Only just fast enough. Mr Sale’s piece helped understand the deep background. I think he saw things clearly and related them clearly also.

  45. CJ says:

    the time had come for him to set out on his journey westward
    (as I read it)
    RIP good friend, some of us will follow soon.

  46. Jose says:

    Richard you will be missed, Rest in peace.

  47. Stephen Calhoun says:

    I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
    His warm posts were always humane and thought provoking. The world is a little bit duller and less self-aware with his passing. He is at peace.

  48. ked says:

    A fine journalist of the old school, an honest & open soul. All the best to his family.

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