The former Grimsby Telegraph deputy features editor and co-founder of the journalism department at Lincoln University has died after a brave battle against cancer.

Much-loved Richard Gibson, (51), passed away in Louth County Hospital with his family and friends by his side.

Richard, a keen actor, director and playwright, had rehearsed in the summer for a role he was due to play last week at the Louth Playgoers.

He and his wife Julie shared a farmhouse at Skidbrooke, near Louth, where they enjoyed the country life and owning and riding horses.

She said: “I want everyone to remember all those good times with Richard and what a wonderful person he was and still is in my mind.

“He had such a positive outlook and did not make mountains out of molehills.

“He was a special person and that is reflected in the number of people who made the effort to visit or flew in from all over the world and some even made contact from his schooldays 30 years ago.”

Richard went to Wintringham School, Grimsby, where he studied until 1973 and later graduated from the University of Kent, Canterbury, with a BA Joint Honours degree in History and French. He also did a post-graduate course at The University of Brussels.

He joined the Grimsby Telegraph in 1978 as a trainee and appointed sub-editor in 1982. Within two years he was deputy features editor, and was instrumental in helping to launch the Lincolnshire Choice magazine, the forerunner of The Journal.

After leaving the firm in 1999 he co-founded the University of Lincoln’s Journalism Department where he taught hundreds of students in his six years of service.

Senior lecturer Bernie Russell said: “He was a very talented journalist with a real gift for words, and loved and a good mate.”

Richard later joined Mortons publishing firm in Horncastle.

Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor said: “Richard was simply a nice man to have around any office. Always a smile, always a joke and always time for a chat.

“It is so very sad that the life of such a capable, likeable person has been cut so very short. Everyone here who knew Richard will hold those fond memories of him forever and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Richard is survived by Julie, his mum Marian Lofthouse, sister Julie Loades, brother David, nephews and nieces, particularly Ben who was cared for by Richard and Julie for many years.

The funeral will take place at St James’s Church in Louth at 2pm on Monday, October 30.

University of Lincoln senior lecturer Bernie Russell has also paid tribute:

Richard started working for the department of journalism at Lincoln University in 1999.

He was an experienced print journalist with a background in reporting, subbing and design, and brought all those skills to the university.

He left in 2005 to work for Mortons, a magazine publisher based in Horncastle.

But he still stuck with us, coming in to give guest lectures, and always looking to offer work placements and any help he could to the students.

Those who knew him will know that, as well as his skills as a journalist, he also brought great warmth, considerable charm and humour to his work.

He was a talented teacher – a first-class communicator with an affection for his craft and for his students.

He helped me a lot. He made me laugh, calmed me down, cheered me up – did all the things good friends do, and did them really well.

The students were very fond of him. He was quietly spoken, and usually had a smile on his face.

But he paid them the respect of never being easy on them. Richard never missed a deadline, and he expected the same professionalism from those he taught.

He was a good amateur actor, treading the boards (sorry, Rich – you’d never have let me get away with a cliche like that…) for the Louth Playgoers, and – probably to make sure he had the best lines – even wrote and starred in a play himself.

I mention this because his lectures were performances. He knew how to get and keep his audience’s attention, and shamelessly deployed all the tricks of the trade. It worked. The students listened to every word.

Naturally, I went to a couple of his lectures to pick up some tips – well, to nick his ideas actually. I made notes, and vowed to try some of his tricks myself. But I had the good sense not to bother. Richard was a one-off.

He was very poorly in the last days of his life. His wife, Julie, was always with him, looking after him, being with him, very strong, but, like him, very gentle.

But ill though he was, he was still terrific company. He charmed all the hospital staff, and he had an endless stream of visitors, with people travelling huge distances to see him. It was standing room only a lot of the time.

He was still Richard, though, right to the end.

A few days before he died, I went to see him, and told him the football results, just for something to chat about. Liverpool had lost. I wasn’t sure how much he was taking in, and it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to say anyway. I just wanted to talk to him the way I always talked to him.

He shook his head and whispered something. I had to ask him three times to repeat it. “It’s all over”, he whispered. I was distraught.

“What…you mean with you?” I managed to ask.

He stared at me.

“No, you daft ****! With Liverpool!”