Richard Anthony McMULLEN

I was sorry to learn of Richard’s passing. My condolences to the McMullen and extending families. I meet Richard through his late wife Jean. He was a very pleasant man with a great sense of humour. May he rest in peace.

I am writing on behalf of the school community to offer my sincere condolences following the death of Dick and should like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mary as well as to other members of the immediate and extended family.

We recall with pride and affection the contribution Dick made to the life of The High School during his long tenure as a member of staff. He was a highly regarded teacher of German and French to which his commitment was exemplary. His multiple skills and abilities resulted in appointments to internal positions which were reflected in promotions to Special Duties Teacher and Assistant Principal, respectively. He also made a substantial extra-curricular contribution whether as a staff choir member or as a highly effective rugby and cricket coach.

The High School has reason to be thankful that Dick chose to dedicate a significant proportion of his professional life to this institution where he is fondly remembered as a principled and dedicated colleague of the utmost integrity. We remain grateful for his kind and generous example in engaging with the generations of staff, parents, and past pupils who mourn his loss to the school community.

It will undoubtedly be a very difficult and painful time for family and friends both now and in the immediate future. However, you may be assured that we will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers at The High School whilst wishing you every strength and comfort during the months and years ahead.

Deep condolences to Dick's family. As a fellow member of the Guinness choir and the bass line, I enjoyed his company, sense of humour, discussions about rugby and input to German pronounciation. Thank you for your friendship Dick, go in peace.

Fond memories of Mr McMullen in The High School. Started as my first Form Teacher and later being one of my SCT coaches when I was captain.
Our paths crossed years later and he was able to recall my name without hesitation.
A true gentleman

Dick was a wonderful colleague and an excellent teacher. We remember him fondly and are so sorry to hear about his passing. Condolences to his family.

I had a most enjoyable year in HSD in 78-79 and Mr McMullen was one of the main reasons for this. He was one of our two SCT rugby coaches. He was remarkably good humoured and pleasant and he and Derek Cole improved our rugby skills in spite of ourselves!! He was a lovely man!

Sincere condolences to Mary and Richard’s extended family. We are so sorry to hear of his death. He and his beloved Jean were our wonderful neighbours when we were living in Orwell Woods. May he rest in peace.

We are saddened to hear of the death of Dick, a stalwart of the 1st Bass line for more than 40 years. It’s only a couple of years since ill health forced him to step down from the choir and we have missed him greatly, a teacher of German in the High School Dublin and also an avid cricket fan.

Dick was our regular coach as he tried to ensure we pronounced our German texts at least phonetically correctly. I’m sure many of us would have been graded E on his exam papers with remarks like “must try harder” but his great courtesy and good humour overcame his possible desire to be more critical!

Dick was very sociable and kindly and he always had an amusing take on choir and general events. He and his late wife, Jean, a Guinness employee, were very much part of choir life over the years. He greatly enjoyed all our social events as we humorously dissected concerts post performance over a couple of pints!

To his family and friends, we offer our sincere condolences. May he rest in peace.

To the McMullen and Wilkes families, We are very sorry to hear the sad news of Richard's passing. Richard was a true gentleman. He spoke so highly of the wonderful care he received in recent times. He and Jean were so welcoming to me when i moved to Orwell Woods. His friendly smile and wave will be much missed. Richard and Jean are in my thoughts and prayers.

So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He was a lovely gentleman reunited with his beloved Jeannie. Sincere sympathy to the Wilkes and McMullen families.

I am so very sorry to hear of the death of Mr. McMullen. I remember him as an endlessly patient, good-humoured and caring teacher. When Mr. McMullen introduced me to German in my first year in HSD in 1987, he inspired a passion that's lasted my entire life and led to my career teaching German in universities. His class was always full of fun exercises and his self-deprecating jokes, and was a high point of the week for the four years that he taught me. Vielen, vielen lieben Dank, Herr McMullen.

My condolences to Dick's family on his passing. I was a colleague in his latter years at High School and valued his calm and thoughtful support.

Dick was the first person I met in High School.Mr Brook had tasked him with welcoming me ,he put me instantly at ease.We had both been assistant teachers in Germany and he had great anecdotes and tales of his time in Delmenhorst.
For most of my time in the school Dick was head of modern languages and steered the ship with a steady hand through enormous chnges and upheavals (introduction of orals and aurals etc).He was for a number of years president of the German teachers association and was highly thought of and well liked in German circles,particularly in the Goethe Institut.
On a personal level he was an extremely supportive,loyal and generous colleague,always affable and pleasant.I am very indebted to Dick for his wise counsel and wisdom.
It was a privilege and a pleasure to have known Dick and to have worked with him on his team.
My sincere condolences to his family.Schlaf in Ruhe,alter Kumpel.

Deepest condolences to the Family. Mr McMullen, He was a real gentleman and a pleasure to know through my days at High school, hugely respected by staff and pupils too.

So very sorry to hear this news. I was in 'Mr' McMullen's 1977 Junior Cert German class. He was such a kind and caring teacher. Deepest condolences to his family.

We’re so sad to hear this news that there of our favourite HSD teachers have past this week.

Mr. McMullen was a teacher who truly made a difference. He was so patient and kind even when me and my friends would throw our note books across the room to each other so we could write notes to each other. He would look at us and shake his had never raising his voice but just making us feel guilty that we were paying attention. More than that, he treated each student with respect and fairness, and we always felt heard in his classroom. His influence will stay with us, and he will be deeply missed.

With sincere sympathy,
Vicky and Jamie

I was very sad to hear of Dick's death. He and I were colleagues in High School and I remember his popularity among staff and students and his kindness to us all. May I extend my sympathy to his family and friends.

So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He taught me French and German between 1977 and 1983 and was always very popular with the class. His enthusiasm and friendly manner promoted a very enjoyable learning environment. Condolences to his family and friends.

Dear Mary, condolences to you and your husband and all the family. Richard had a long hard road. He always spoke of your care and support. He'll be missed here in the "Woods". May he rest in perfect peace now with Jean.

Saddened to see this news the same week as another teacher also passed away.

"Uncle Dick" was a regular in our house when we were in school and he and Dad would often head off together to the Glenside or Comans for a social drink or 3 and enjoy each others company throughout the years that I was at home.

He always had a smile for everyone and was someone who appeared to be universally liked across the teachers and pupils in the school.

May he rest in peace.

Very sad to hear this news. Dick was a great High School man and a friend of my late Dad in the Literary Teachers' Friendly Society.

Shocked and very sad to hear of Dick's death, He was a colleague of mine for years in the High School, Dublin and a fellow member of mine in the LTFS. Dick was a fine fellow and a true gentleman. My deepest sympathy to his family. Jim Ryan