Obituary of Richard Grant Harvey

August 27, 1941 - December 12, 2021

Rick loved literature, most especially poetry and drama; the visual arts, particularly painting and pottery; music, including choral, orchestral, and opera; gardens, gardening, cooking, very dry sherry, and good wine. He was intelligent, creative, hard working, and energetic, but also compassionate and caring.

In 1968 Rick came from the University of Toronto to teach at the University of Regina English Department. For forty years, until retirement in 2008, he specialized in Restoration and eighteenth-century literature—especially Swift and Pope—drama, and courses on close reading. He taught introductory English and composition classes, honours/graduate seminars, and, once, in an emergency, an art history class.  

During his time with the university, Rick served on various committees, but especially enjoyed department  events, such as the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, in which faculty performed (albeit badly) for students. He also became a co-convenor of what became the Orlene Murad Academic Discussions. For many years, Rick made exotic appetizers— delicious and varied. He was an excellent cook, and hospitable.

In pursuit of his particular literary passions, Rick attended 18^th Century Literature Conferences when possible, and he edited The Wascana Poetry Anthology, published in 1996. Rick donated royalties from that text to the English Department, which was used to initiate the Student Travel Fund.  In his later academic years, Rick collaborated with a colleague on 18^th century sermons. Even though they had online access to Early English Books, Rick was a wealth of knowledge about the politics, history, and culture of the period, helping his colleague to contextualize the sermons.

In 1975, Rick joined Regina Little Theatre (RLT). Between 1975 and 2013, Rick designed, decorated, aided with construction, set up and striking of roughly a 105 sets. He also directed and occasionally acted in plays, but preferred to work behind the scenes. While the majority of his sets were for RLT, he also created them for the U of R Music Dept., Regina Lyric Light Opera, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Regina Summer Stage. Rick’s RLT set designs were nominated 9 times for Best Visual Award at the annual Saskatchewan Theatre Festival, and won the award 4 times. Because of his experience with set design, construction, and decoration, Rick gave workshops throughout the province, including in Milestone, Prince Albert, Yorkton, Melfort, and Regina. He also worked as RLT’s Technical Director, supervising maintenance of RLT premises, the workshop, scenery and other property.

As a member of the Executive Board of RLT, Rick served as secretary 1978 -1986; Vice President 1984-1986; Treasurer 1992-1993; President 1986-1989, during which time he supervised the sale of RLTs old premises and the move to the Regina Performing Arts Centre.

In 1984 Rick was awarded the Sammy Goodfellow Award, an annual recognition for “Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Theatre,” and in 1995 he was made an Honourary Life Member of RLT.

Having been nominated by fellow volunteers at Regina Little Theatre, in October 2012, Rick received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for his many years as a volunteer with RLT.

Richard (Rick) Grant Harvey was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Tip) Harvey and Estelle Harvey (nee Lefebvre), and only sibling, Lynda Prevost (nee Harvey).

He leaves to grieve his absence his partner Colleen G. Biro, Regina; niece Lisa Prevost and great nephew Tyler Hunt, St. Lazare Que.; niece Kim Martin (nee Prevost), her husband Brent Martin, and two great nieces Halle and Kira Martin, Nelson B. C.; as well as numerous friends and former students from his years with the University of Regina and Regina Little Theatre.

"In every friend, we lose a part of ourselves and the best part."

Alexander Pope.