Richard P.
Melnick became interested in computers and all things electronic at
7 years old. He was very focused and learned how to disassemble and
modify commercial computer games so that they would operate in the
manner that he wished. Much of his computer knowledge was self taught
gleaned through many late nights and pure persistence.
Still
in high school, Rick started to develop web-pages for his bands Contrast
and Dark which became a very telling indication of his artistic
abilities and visual imagination. Following high school he completed an
intense computer programming course. This enabled him to develop visual
basic programs both for personal and commercial uses. While working at a
computer call centre in Kentville, NS, he developed a program that
substantially reduced
the on line time customers had to wait for support
calls.
Later Richard
became employed at a call centre in Cornwallis, NS, and had been working there
for a few years before being diagnosed with
Multiple
Myeloma,.
Prior to his
illness, Richard showed promise as an avid musician. Besides being adept
on lead, rhythm and bass guitars, he loved both the keyboard and drums.
If that was not enough while still in high-school he wrote and co-wrote
words and music to several songs performed by his bands Contrast, Dark
and Dark-X ***. Recording the tracks himself, he would edit and
mix it all together in a virtual studio on his computer and then burn
the results to CD complete with cover artwork.
Richard met
Murray Salsman through the auspices of the Cancer Patient Navigator in
Kentville in 2005. Through Murray, Richard became a beneficiary of
The
Margaret Salsman Cancer Care Patient Navigator Memorial Fund.
In his own
way Richard wanted to repay Murray's unfettered kindness and in February
of 2006 suggested the idea of a website to publicize this worthwhile
cause. With Murray's go-ahead and between the surgery and biopsies,
chemo and the inevitable hospital stays, Richard's creative talents
poured into the Glad-of-Hope Website. It more or less, became Richard's
swan song for he died a short few months later. It was to be the last
creative work of a warm and multi-talented soul.
More on
Richard and his battle with cancer can be found on his "thisisme.ca"
website.
as well as links
to his music and art.
