Dr Richard Tyler

Tyler, Dr Richard James

Passed away suddenly following a tragic accident. We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Richie and Pops, the heart and soul of our family. Dearly loved husband of Julia. Father of Sarah, Sophie, Duncan and Ally and grandfather to Xavier, Eva, Scarlett, Luca and Zoe. Brother of Sue, Nicky, Simon and Catherine. Father in law to Nathan, Phil and Lizzie. We request no flowers, please buy a bottle of wine and toast to Richard instead.

A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at the Old St Paul’s, 34 Mulgrave Street, Wellington on Wednesday October 29th 2025 at 11am. A livestream link to the service may be found at lychgate.co.nz/upcoming-funerals/

To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die

Tributes

David Benson-Cooper

So sad to lose Richard. He and I went to Rotorua Boys High School and subsequently Otago Medical School though he was a year ahead of me at both. He was always kind and full of humour, but that probably came from his father who I also worked for during one year at Rororua Hospital and who ran the happiest team I ever worked in!
Farewell Richard, gone but never to be forgotten. Condolences to his family.

David Benson-Cooper
Allevia Radiology
Auckland

David Dobson

Deeply saddened at Richard’s passing. My doctor for 40 years, and our family doctor for much of that time, too. I remember his quick wit, and more importantly, his ability to make a quick and accurate diagnosis of my ailment(s) at any appointment. A tremendous chap!!

Ross Anderson

Dear Julia and family,

Words cannot express the shock of hearing about Richard’s tragic passing, and I can only imagine how unbearable your pain must be.

I cannot recall many interactions with Richard that didn’t end in a bout of laughter. He always seemed to be in a good mood; though he carried many responsibilities and wore many hats, the stress never showed. His humour, warmth, and generosity of spirit will be remembered always.

I will be forever grateful to Richard for taking me on at Johnsonville 13 years ago, and for the guidance he offered — both in medicine and in business.

Peter Blake

Pamela and I were very sorry to learn of Richard’s sudden passing. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Julia and the family.
Richard was a man of action, not one to sit about thumb twiddling. He was physically very active and mentally sharp and these attributes resulted in him taking a big part in professional and leisure activities. He was a great contributor and put a lot in to medicine and the Medical Insurance Society.
Peter and Pamela Blake

Di Peters Sarah and Janelle Peters

Julia our family feel for you at this time. Richard was our family GP during the 80s, 90s and early 2000. You were also Sarah’s Gp When she became an adult. You and Richard were very special people and we were saddened to hear of his untimely death. Our deepest condolences to all your family from our family who are all living in Melbourne . Take care and thank you to you and Richard for your tireless care of the community.

Graham Archer 

Catherine and I send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to you Julia and your family.
We only knew Richard from our weekly golfing and annual golf trips to Australia. A very competitive golfer, and someone who always had a smile on his face and great laughter recalling the game over a glass of wine.
We will miss his company very much and will toast his life with a glass of wine in remembrance.
Graham and Catherine Archer

Heather Bicknell

To Julia and family. Paul and I and our family are saddened by the tragic passing of Richard. He and you were our families doctors at Johnsonville Medical Centre. Richard was good humoured, easy to talk to. He gave an honest direct analysis of diagnosis. We are grateful beyond words of having him as our doctor. You are in our thoughts at this time.

Christine Hill

Fondly remembering Richard, our GP from 1981 until he retired from the Johnsonville Medical Centre in 2021. Richard delivered our two daughters, subsequently treated them and some of their children over a period of 40 years.
Along with his medical expertise, we enjoyed his quick wit. I recall my last consult with him he noted that we wouldn’t be with our new GP for as long as we were with him!
Sincere and heartfelt condolences to Julia, especially, and the family. Such a tragic loss.

Brian and Christine Hill

Anne and John Russell

Dear Julia and Family,

I can picture Richard now…careering around the hillside at Pakiri on his low slung, bright red and yellow Canycom…zooming in and out under the olive trees…driving as if he was in a racing car rather than a mulching mower.

Richard’s irrepressible enghusiasm for life was hard to resist…so, of course, John had to buy a low slung, bright red an yellow Canycom too.

We will miss our times spent together in Pakiri and Mangawhai…all the laughter and vibrant conversation.

Richard touched many different people’s lives in many different ways…all of it good. His was a life way lived…full to the brim and full speed ahead…he will be missed…

With love,
Anne and John

Susan M Perry

Dear Julia,
I was so saddened to hear of Richard’s untimely death. Over the years he has always impressed me as an excellent example of ” just getting things done” and certainly not caught in the maelstom of “managers”. The profession will miss him but more importantly I always enjoyed his sardonic enthusiasm and sense of fun.
My thoughts have been with you and your children and grandchildren as you grieve the death of someone very special in your lives.and hope that the shadow of grief will not overwhelm you all too much. The wish to enjoy a good bottle of wine in lieu of flowers seems a very fitting epitaph for an excellent doctor and great colleague.
With best wishes,
Susan M.Perry

Trevor Murray Parr

Nothing but love; sadness and heartfelt fond memories of such a great man..
Happy times at med school and beyond , watching Richard and Julia’s friendship blossom.
Amazed at his total honesty and high integrity in an ill-fated farming venture we shared in the Rogernomic years. .
Very impressed with his off piste skiing ability in later years and always fun to catch up with as he consistantly made life so interesting. .
Richard’s passing is such a huge loss but his amazing legacy will bring strength joy and courage .
Our love sympathy and blessings we extend to Julia , Sarah ,Duncan , Sophie , Alexandra and extended family
Trevor and Helen Parr

Simon farnsworth

Dear Tyler Family,

My heart felt your beautiful service, what a truly beautiful family and wonderful speeches.
lost truly for words. There is such shine around you.

Due to surgery i could not attend in person.
love and respect always. Simon re painter. always in my heart.

Mary Kay

My fondest thoughts to you all on Richards tragic death. My late husband was Geoffrey Kay born Parawera in 1929 & a first cousin of Richard’s mother Rachel. She & her 2 sisters grew up in the neighbouring Owairaka valley & similar ages to to Geoffrey & his older brothers Andrew & Brice. Their parents were from a family of 16 at Orakau & consequently it has been a daunting task to keep up with them all over the years. However Rachel & Ross had a timeshare in Paihia & used to holiday there every year so kept contact with us in Kerikeri – one of the few members of the Kay family to leave the Waikato. I remember meeting Simon as a child – chummed up with my eldest son Stuart as they were both born 1960, when we holidayed in Rotorua. Also Nicola brought Rachel & Ross to a Kay reunion & I remember discussing physio with her as my Stuart is also a physio with a practice in Kaikohe. I doubt if any of the Kay family have been able to attend Richards funeral so feel compelled to send a message on their behalf. Jeannette Kay aged 97 & myself -88 are the only spouses left of Rachel’s generation & we have fond memories of them all – fabulous hosts with great senses of humour, which is still evident in my family. It was lovely to view the video link this morning especially old StPauls, which I used to visit when I trained as a Dental Nurse in Wellington from1955. I regret not knowing Richard personally but value the link we have as a Kay family member & we send our sincere condolences & love to you all. Mary Kay

Karyn Smith Smith

Dear Julia & family
We were saddened to hear the news of Richard’s passing.
May all the wonderful memories you have, bring you comfort.
Thinking of you all.
Karyn, Peter & family

Marion Willis

I was so sorry to hear of Richard’s death. My dear old friend Joyce would have been so sad to have known of this great loss to you and the family. He was obviously a man of such ability and made a tremendous contribution to the health of so many people in the community. My deepest sympathy to you all

Claire Becker

Truly saddened to hear this news. Richard was our doctor for a time along with Julia and also a fellow parent in the local school community. He always had time to listen and wry sense of humour, offering sound advice and reassurance. Thoughts and sympathies with the wider family at this difficult time. Hold on to the memories and stories, remember the fun times. Rest well Richard.