She said a coroner\u2019s initial inquiry indicated he died from an unknown heart event.<\/p>\n
Tributes are flowing for the young man, described as intelligent, hard-working, humble, loyal and mature.<\/p>\n
He was farewelled by about 500 people at his funeral in Taup\u014d on Friday.<\/p>\n
Donna told the Rotorua Daily Post the massive turnout at her son\u2019s funeral showed how much he was loved.<\/p>\n
Describing him as a \u201cfriend catcher\u201d, she said at the funeral her son \u201carrived in a hurry\u201d as a newborn two weeks before his due date and spent the rest of his life rushing.<\/p>\n
Ryan Richmond, 26, died in a bike crash on the 42 Traverse track in the Tongariro National Park on May 16. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cHe never stopped hurrying and challenging life to the nth. It was like his life was going to be short so \u2018let\u2019s get on with it\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said he had a kind and generous heart and excelled in sports, particularly golf and soccer.<\/p>\n
As a child, he was always happy with a digger and a spade and enjoyed being outside with his father, Mike Richmond.<\/p>\n
In later years, he was a hunting companion with his many friends, and stepfather, Rob Hayes.<\/p>\n
Hayes spoke at the funeral, relaying funny tales from hunting trips he had with Ryan, whom he described as one of his \u201cbest mates\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ryan put his practical skills to good use when he left school and set about a career as a plumber.<\/p>\n
He finished his apprenticeship at Gaskin Plumbing in Taup\u014d before getting a job at ABContracting \u2013 where he became an in-ground and drainage construction manager working on major civil construction projects.<\/p>\n
Last year, he bought his first home, and Donna said her son was excited to have pulled off that \u201cfeat\u201d \u2013 noting ironically he bought on Richmond Rd, in Richmond Heights, around the road from Ryan Pl and near St James St.<\/p>\n
His sister, Laura Richmond, said she was proud of the man her brother became.<\/p>\n
She too said he had the kindest heart, uplifted those around him and had a great sense of humour to lighten any mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were always full steam ahead chasing the things you loved with passion and positivity.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was grateful for the time he spent with her sons and said he was adored by his nephews.<\/p>\n
His work colleague, Michael Byrne from ABContracting, spoke at the funeral, describing Ryan as a \u201ctrue master teacher and old soul\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was incredibly intelligent, extremely efficient at his job and always seemed to have everything sorted and under control,\u201d Byrne said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had an uncanny ability to turn chaos into magic. To put it into perspective, it now takes five people to do his job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan Richmond, 26, who died in a quad bike accident in the Tongariro National Park on May 16, loved hunting. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
One of his friends said at the funeral Ryan was always the first to arrive to help and was the last to leave.<\/p>\n
Speaking on behalf of the family, funeral celebrant Lianne Fraser, said that for someone who had such a generous heart, it felt \u201cespecially unfair\u201d that a sudden and \u201ctotally unexpected\u201d heart event led to the crash that took his life.<\/p>\n
She addressed his friends, saying they were a tight-knit group, and for them Ryan\u2019s death was particular devastation.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those who were with Ryan on the 42 Traverse, please know that you did everything you could, as did the rescue helicopter team, and his family are deeply appreciative.\u201d<\/p>\n
A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to National Park after a report of a man having come off a quad bike.<\/p>\n
The spokeswoman said CPR was performed at the scene, however, he died a short time later.<\/p>\n
His death has been referred to the coroner.<\/p>\n