Richard "Dick" Mark Chalmers, Jr.

Obituary

Richard was born on May 11, 1984 to Richard Mark Chalmers and George Anne Byfield Chalmers. A lifelong resident of Austin, he graduated from Anderson High School in 2002.

Often referred to as the “Duke of Austin,” Richard was known for his larger-than-life presence and individual style. From age 16, he embarked on a dynamic tour of Austin’s culture and characters, tuning his ear to the city while working for iconic local businesses: Amy’s Ice Cream, Austin American Statesman, Alamo Drafthouse, Esther’s Follies, SXSW, and FunFunFun Fest among them.

In his professional life, he was a steadfast champion of Austin’s music culture and the Red River scene for more than twenty years. With a passion for film, he specialized in video production and editing, stage visuals and lighting design for music venues and events in and around Austin, occasionally joining national tours of local musicians. He pioneered new techniques in video installation and created immersive concert spaces, providing an impressive level of care and stage production that elevated the artistry of hundreds of acts, many of whom were up-and-coming and had never before received such attention or celebration.

Richard was phenomenally devoted to his family (especially his grandmothers) and to his friends. He made an art form of his role as Fun Uncle to two adoring nieces. He felt genuine love for his community and made each person feel uniquely seen and appreciated; everyone felt like they were his “favorite.”

He is survived by his father, Mark Chalmers, Mark’s wife, Sally Chandler, and their daughter, Lee Chandler Chalmers; and his siblings: his brother, James Byfield Chalmers and James’ partner, Katie Self; his sister, Callie Ryan, and her husband, David Ryan, along with their daughters, Millie and Georgia Ryan. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Patricia Byfield and Patricia Chalmers, and his beloved mother, George Anne Byfield Chalmers.

A memorial will be held on December 20 at 2:00 PM at Saengerrunde Hall. All are welcome.

The family would like to extend special thanks to his community for honoring Richard; and to the Texas Archive of the Moving Image where his work chronicling Austin’s music scene will live on.

Community Tribute

What follows describe some of the many ways he was loved, gathered from tributes shared in recent weeks. Together they paint a collective portrait of who he was to all of us. They can be found and credited to their original authors on his Facebook page.

“We have all lost a great light, and I've lost my very best friend who literally saved my life on multiple occasions. I will honor him every day by striving to be as good of a person as he was to me and so many others.”

“There are some people who stitch themselves into your story so deeply that losing them feels like losing a piece of your own history.”

“He was our Keymaster. He was our first friend in Austin. He was our mentor and our biographer. We were privileged that he chose to bring his intellect, passion, charm, encyclopedic knowledge of films, and deep love for Red River and its denizens to Empire.”

“The loss of Dick Chalmers is unimaginable…The footsteps you laid stitched the heart of this city together.”

“Dick Chalmers was the kind of guy you could meet once and remember for the rest of your life.”

“We lost the purest, deepest feeling, most human, most passionate, most creative, most fashionable yet least vain, most loyal of friends. Still hearing your charming baritone voice saying all the witty things or observations that tickled me out of the blue. You paid attention. You cared completely.”

“My best friend of 27 years… the one who knew every version of me and loved me through all of them…Protector, mischief-maker, anchor, safe place, through the wild years and the quiet ones, he saved me over and over again. And he always, always showed up. When a tornado nearly ruined my wedding, he didn’t hesitate - he pulled his car up, blasted music, and turned devastation into a dance floor in the rain. That was who he was: someone who could take broken moments and somehow make them beautiful. Me and Richie could go months without talking, then pick up the phone and fall right back into our rhythm… like time bowed to our friendship instead of the other way around.”

“You were too good for us, Dick Chalmers. Your reverence to Red River was unmatched. Your authenticity was so reassuring. Your constancy was so comforting. You gave so much and took so little. Oh! Your tenderhearted selfless soul!”

“You were like a big brother to me, always looking out for me, always teasing me, always bringing a smile to my face…I hope you know the impact you had on EVERYONE around you, and the light you were to so many. You will be so dearly missed.”

“Dick Chalmers was the most loving person I’ve had the privilege of knowing.”

“He was a bright light in this strange world, always rockin’ a smile with hugs at the ready. Rest easy to the Duke of ATX ~ you will be missed by so many.”

“While you would hate any religious reference, you were a true Saint amongst us, Dick.”

“Wish we could keep telling you how much we loved you. Wish we could keep sharing stories & keep making plans…Wish the most, of course, that we could have kept you here…”

“[The Austin music community] will never be the same and he will never be forgotten.”

“Dick, you were really one-of-kind & our gratitude for your friendship is immeasurable. Thanks for sharing yourself wholly. We will miss you forever.”

“There are some people you never forget, that you can bump into at any point and pick up right where you left off. Dick Chalmers was one of those people. Just an all around good guy. Kind, warm, and never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend.”

“He never stopped checking in, sending me photos and videos of his day to day. He was so patient with me. I am crushed that I’ll never get another photo from him with his nieces or the show he was working that night.”

“Forever and ever grateful to have known Dick Chalmers. One of the few people to stand in my corner and fight for me. Will miss his movie quotes and little gifts forever.”

“He was a good ass dude and a true friend. One of the best lighting guys I ever got to spend time with. One of the best lighting guys I ever got to spend time with.”

“You always went out of your way to make everyone else feel special…Your excitement was like a little kid when I would give you something, I'm going to miss that the most.”

“A dear friend, long time Austin Facial Hair Club member, local Austin legend, music/film encyclopedia, and icon of style. You will always be loved and you will forever be missed.”

“Always gave me positive reinforcement, good guidance and taught a crawling baby entering the downtown/music scene how to walk… but while keeping a cool head, not taking it too seriously and remember you can be professional while you dance and have fun too!”

“He was a very lovely one indeed.”

“--He was the loveliest, truly.”

“He was always my favorite person to bump into on Red River. He was always a pillar and just emanated coolness whenever he was in the room. He inspired me to pursue VJ’ing and lighting and was just such a genuinely nice person…Rest in peace to the Duke of Red River. You touched so many people’s lives with your presence and energy.”

“I’ll miss you forever Dick Chalmers. You were a brother to me, I’m so crushed to not have you here anymore…Your whistle tick, the goody ass way you said “noo”. Your fashion, your face needing to be on every inch of our in venue marketing. I’ll miss you so, so much.”

“A great friend and mentor is gone.”

“The time I was able to spend with you in and outside of work was eye opening, inspiring, and encouraging. In new and uncomfortable endeavors, your “reluctant” acceptance made me feel at home. Thank you for everything you were and everything you encouraged us all to be. Life won’t be the same without you. It was a pleasure to know you Dick Chalmers.”

“In the short time I knew you I had so much fun talking about nothing, debating everything, and learning while getting in 2,000 steps too many over topos. His favorite duck was the loon which isn’t even a duck, it’s a waterfowl.”

“My friend, my buddy, & my pal, Dick Chalmers; thank you for your love and friendship. You have always been so supportive and encouraging with all the many paths in my life I have chosen and no matter where in the world I have gone…every time I returned home it was like I never left. You are one of my biggest inspirations for the photography path that I chose. I love you soooooooo much. There will only ever be one YOU, but we need more of YOU in this world.”

“…He was so funny & clever, uniquely himself…especially when it came to fashion! He was always happy to see you & his hugs were memorable! & man did he love to tell you his name was Dick!... he truly was an outstanding human.”

“Working with you was an honor. The shows we created together at Empire Control Room & Garage, and your unwavering support for the creative community, helped make magic in Austin. Those were truly special times, and I’ll carry them with me always.”

“Your presence, your generosity, and your belief in uplifting everyone around you will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything you gave. I hope wherever you are now, you can feel the LOVE shining right back to your heart…This is why we must protect, uplift, and preserve our creative communities; because they matter so, so much.”

“I want to say Dick Chalmers was a great friend to me, when a lot of people did not have to be! He made me feel welcomed when I did not feel welcomed! That was the kind of kind person he will always be in our hearts! Thank you for being you!”

“We lost a good one today. No doubt, one of Austin's best people. Sending love and hugs out to the entire city.”

“I think we all have our favorite Dick memories. Mine was taking a date to The Brixton and Dick was there with a little yellow baby duck. He let us hold it for the longest time and my date thought it was magical, which won me some points. So now, every time I see a little yellow baby duck, I think of Dick.”

“We got along instantly and thoroughly. All the pressures we went through together, I don’t remember having a single moment of tension between us. On the contrary, we were always on the same page.”

"“Dick Chalmers, you… made Austin special, and we are now missing a huge piece of our community and family.”

“...He was a legend."

“The Austin music community…will never be the same and he will never be forgotten.”

"...He’s largely the reason I was able to VJ for Create Culture, as he was the one doing them before me! Always gave me positive reinforcement, good guidance and taught a crawling baby entering the downtown/music scene how to walk… but while keeping a cool head, not taking it too seriously and remembering you can be professional while you dance and have fun too!”

“...He truly was an outstanding human. I’m so sad for this huge loss to the downtown community, I know how tight knit it is… RIP Dick, 41 is way too young to go, but your light shined ever so brightly while you were here.

“Mr. Chalmers you will be missed for eternity.”