Skrukwa
Date of Death: March 1st, 2024
Our gentle giant died peacefully in the ICU of Surrey Memorial Hospital while holding his wife Yujin’s hand.
Richard was born in St. Paul’s Hospital in the same room as where his older sister Jennifer was born. He was a very happy, full of life boy who loved to play video games and build Lego with his friends. Richie’s childhood was spent in Abbotsford and Langley, then he moved to Vancouver as an independent young adult. He boldly decided to travel to Korea in the early 2000s to start a career as an English teacher, he was in his mid 20’s. After gaining teaching experience, he pursued his work as a corporate trainer to major conglomerates in Korea with much enthusiasm.
He met Yujin in 2006 and fell madly in love, they were married in 2011. Richard was adventurous and endlessly talkative, to anyone, anywhere. He would strike up a conversation with random people. Richard was always surrounded by many friends sharing his funny jokes and charisma. He was an outdoors enthusiast who loved camping, mountain biking and just walking around in nature.
After moving back to Vancouver in December 2018 to start a new career in the movie industry, it was then in September 2019 when Richard became a Father, a devoted Dad to beautiful twins, Ava, and Kayden. Richard was an excellent dad who found joy in his small family. He loved each of them so dearly and enjoyed bringing them to different parks every week. Richard was in his element when he was doing outdoor activities with his children and cherished every single moment he spent with them. Richard’s love for Yujin was a constant, he was the bravest, strongest husband, and her love brought him his greatest comfort.
Predeceased by father Larry, grandparents Suzanne and Robert Anderson, Jean and Tony Skrukwa, aunt Karen and uncle Norm, and father-in-law Dukwang.
As those who loved him rallied by his bedside saw, the two-month battle was unforgiving. Richard is survived by his beloved wife Yujin and their cherished twins Ava and Kayden, parents Lorine and Jeff, sister Jennifer (Jason), uncle Kelly, uncle Jack and aunt Beryl, cousins Matthew (Karly), Paxton (Tanya) second cousins Huxley & Renlen, mother-in-law Seungja, grandma-in-law Jongsun, sister-in-law Yuseun (Jay) and nieces and nephews Diamond, Hunter, Dain and Jiho, best friends Jeremy (Thamy) and many friends & extended family in Canada, Korea and beyond. Richard was a man who looked out for people. May his legacy be one of kindness.
Rest in peace Richard.
Memorial to honour Richard’s life will be on Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 pm at Murrayville Hall, 21667 48 Ave, Langley. Doors open at 1:15 pm. For those of you who are unable to make it in person, the ceremony will be streamed.
Sorry for your loss he was a gentleman and a good man will be graitly missed
May this man find serenity in the Hands of The Holy Ghost. And be assured his family will prosper together on earth.
Amanda and I will always cherish our time together with you in Korea. Richie was a passionate soul and tremendous human being.
Richard is forever, my only sibling.❤️ The promise I made to keep your family safe and close is a commitment. Love conquers.
My heart goes out to Yujin, his children, and all his friends and family I never had the opportunity to meet. Finding such a beautiful human being is terribly rare these days, so meeting and befriending Richie in Korea was one of the biggest blessings of my life. We weren’t blood, but I loved him like my own brother.
Though you maybe gone, your memories will forever be engraved in our hearts. Rest peacefully
Richie was a loving husband to my dearest friend, Yujin, a wonderful father to Kayden and Ava and a good friend to us here in Korea. He was the most talkative and funniest guy in Itaewon but also the most caring and compassionate in times of hardship.
I had witnessed true love between the two lovebirds as fate brought them together from numerous years of friendship to 13 years of a beautiful marriage and all the ups and downs that they have gone through together. I wished them nothing but happiness because they deserved it more than anyone else. They were the most giving and selfless people that I have known.
It breaks my heart that we won’t be able to hear his jokes and laughter once again. He will be dearly missed and loved by all of us in our hearts. May he be able to rest in peace knowing that his wife and their two munchkins are in good hands with his extended families and friends.
유진아, 이 노래가 나에게 위로가 되듯 너에게도 위안이 되길바래…
Sharing this music with all of you here to commemorate and walk through the journey of Richie’s life.
‘You are the reason’
https://youtu.be/A095tznXFWM?si=IDLvqVlgjVHqM_Rb
This hits hard, and feels surreal.
BigSexy was one of my closest friends for the last 20 years.
A lot of mtb, motorbike, music, outdoor shenanigans and misadventures through Asia.
Much love to YJ and Avocado. ❤️
Richie and I first met in the early 2000s. We met through mutual friends in Seoul.
We became close friends and inseparable soon after.
He was supportive and helped me get through my 20’s living in Seoul.
He had a really good heart. He would always find time to help a friend who is in need.
I think he was a little lost with love until he met Yujin. They look odd together but I knew they would hit it off as soon as I found out he took her on a camping trip.
I’ve never met anyone who loves camping so much.
Whenever he’s not camping, we would hang out on his rooftop with Yoshi Taurus and Coco listening to music and have bbq.
Overall, Richie was a passionate person. He loved his job and his students. He remained to many people as their best friend.
I could have been a better friend and checked in on him more regularly after his move to Canada.
Yujin, I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how much pain you’re going through. I know you are strong but this must be hard.
I love you guys.
Yujin and her family were our very first friends in the neighborhood in Burnaby. A beautiful family with ever smiling Richie and Yujin and always so happy Kayden and Ava. We are so sorry to have lost such an amazing person who was always there for his family. RIP Richie, you will be missed.
Although I didn’t know Richard very long, he made a lasting impression. His humour and smile was contagious. He would always brighten up a room and you couldn’t be in a bad mood when he was around.
Our deepest condolences to his wife, kids and family
I thought we had more time.
He will be greatly missed.
Love you buddy