In Memorium

The face of the academy from 1990 through October 3, 2022. As its VP of Marketing, he built the school from five students to 115. He grew the clinic and helped raise money that allowed us to compete over much of the world and bring home more metals at state, regional, national and even international events. He was a force to be reckoned with and truly loved our students and clients.

He is sorely missed.

Richard J. West, born in Greer, SC, December 10, 1949, died in Greenville, October 3, 2022. He served his country honorably during the Vietnam War and was a college graduate. A native of Greer, he was a son of the late Norman William and Alma Finley West.  Surviving are his brother-in-law, George Carroll Rogers and his two daughters and son-in-law, Melissa Rosanne Rogers of the home and Jennifer Suzanne and Bradley J. Gibson of Greer; two brothers, Norman B. West of Greer and Timothy West of Greensboro, NC; and one sister, Sandy West Dempsey of Greer.

Survived by his Life Partner (as well as a business Partner), Robert C. MacElhiney, another business Partner, James W. King and his pet for 19 years, Maggie Margaret and was grieving over the loss of Simon Alexsis, who died on September 23, 2022 two months short of being fifteen. Simon was an amazing cat who was far more than a pet.

Described by those who knew him as “bigger than life”, he was involved in a number of successful business, becoming a partner in the Academy of Hair Technology in 1990. He helped guide it from 5 students to as many as 110. He developed an advertising campaigns to build enrollment and helped build the clinic by distributing circulars through-out the eastside of Greenville. He developed a close relationship with its students and its clinic customers, remembering birthdays, sickness and deaths. His legacy includes the 1,000nds of students who he helped mentor.

He had a great sense of humor and constantly tried to keep things focused and sought defused any tension that might occur. He loved people and it showed. He helped raise money to support of students competing in competitions in South Carolina, Florida, and Illinois and literally all over the world. He was generous to all who knew him.

His real love was for his home which he decorated and took care of and the gardens he nurtured around it. He decorated it and the yard for every season and holiday. He was usually outside taking care of his gardens two to three hours a night. His home and yard were truly a showplace that reflected his sense of design and balance. He also loved planning and preparing parties and dinners for his neighbors and friends. His last creation was on what turned out to be his Sunday when he mastered she-crab soup as part of the dinner. He planned numerous trips with friends, organized neighborhood joint events and was always planning things to do.

He caught Covid during what had become an annual trip to Savanah and was very sick for three weeks in December 2020. He never really had the stamina he had prior to that disease. He fought balance issues and sometimes was unable to come to work. He was scheduled to see his regular doctor on the day he died. His death was sudden and unexpected. One minute, after spending a quiet night sharing plans for the near future, he was saying goodnight to me and the next moment was on the floor. Three days later he was dead, never having regained consciousness. In one week I lost my pet, the most amazing cat I have ever known, Simon (a gift from him) and my best friend. He is sorely missed! Gone but never forgotten. He touched so many lives!!!

-Bob MacEliney

He was the heart and soul of our student clinic. Loved by students, clients and faculty alike, Richard left his mark at AHT. The loss of such an integral part of our school community will be felt for a long time to come.

The relationships that he formed with our clients were so special and serve as a constant reminder of just how important and loved he was. Client after client walks through the door and the first question they ask is “Where is Richard?”.

In many ways he was the face of the Academy. He was the first person you encounter when entering the school. He was the person that you expected to see each time you walked through the doors.

He had a joke for everyone and knew just how to make you laugh and smile. To say that loosing that has been difficult would be an understatement. We count ourselves fortunate to have been able to know, love and work with such a beautiful soul. While the Academy of Hair Technology will forge on, it will most definitely never be the same.

-Ervin Smith

On October 3 of 2022 I felt the sudden loss of Richard West.

I knew him both professionally and personally. Professionally he was dedicated to the Academy Of Hair Technology and the students the school serves. He could be a tough cookie at times, but above all, he only wanted the best for each student, and would push them to achieve their full potential.

He was a kind and caring person to all are patrons, and would frequently check in on them, help in anyway possible and even provide a ride to school if they were unable. He would offer a kind, dear, or be a comedian to make you smile if you needed. Often times he would bring baked goods from his home for everyone to try. I don’t think he ever fully knew how many lives he had touched through the years.

Personally, I knew him to be extremely kind and thoughtful to those he considered a friend. He was known for his dinner parties, which I was fortunate enough to attend. Any time he would visit his beloved New York he would always bring me some of my favorite gifts back. He often reminded me how much he appreciated my work and value. I will greatly miss our chats that broke up a hectic day. He always had my back on anything. I thought it was the right decision. He loved politics, and even though we never agreed politically, we enjoyed each other’s views.

Rest in peace, you will be missed by many.

-Trenton Paxton

I am still unable to realize that he is gone. Have never known anyone with such an outgoing, friendly personality.

I will always miss him and was fortunate to have so many times to see him on my walks.

-JoAnn Stevens Voyer

Richard was one in a million, he enjoyed making students and clients laugh a jokester you might say.
We shared such memorable times together whether it was at work or traveling we always had great experiences that we often talked and laughed about.
Richard took great pride in whatever he did, the flower arrangements he would bring into school from the flowers he grew in his own garden to what he wore.
He would call me his sister from another mister and I would call him my brother from another mother
and I would smile because Richard was one of my dear friends as Bob and Jim are.

-Sherry Brilla

A ray of joy, a spark of light has been extinguished much too soon!
sorely missed

-Annon

In Memory of Richard West

If you asked me to describe Richard the first thought is sharp dressed. He always took pride in how he looked. His shirts were always pressed just perfect. And never without a tie. And don’t forget the cologne. He wouldn’t leave home without it.

Richard had a kind heart and like to give to others. He would surprise the students with ice cream and cookies. And when he would make pound cake he would always bring me some. And let’s don’t forget the jokes. No matter how how good or bad they were.

Some days he would share his life with me and days off growing up. But his best days that he would share were always from his home. Of decorating the Christmas tree and the ornaments he would carefully place, to the dinner parties and of course his favorite springtime , so he could plant his amazing flowers. Home was Richard’s happy place.

You are missed deeply my friend. It was a honor to work for you. Rest in peace and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

-Jamie Chambers

Richard’s mother’s last name was Finlay:

This is an Old Scottish name, from the Gaelic personal name “Fionnlagh”, which is composed of the elements “fionn”, meaning “white, fair”, with “laoch”, warrior or hero. The name was early reinforced by the Old Norse personal name “Finnleikr”, composed of the elements “Finn” as above, and “leikr”, meaning “play, sport”. As a personal name “Finlay” is first recorded in circa 1070 as “Fionnlaoich”, and in the Book of Leinster, the name of MacBeth’s father is spelled “Findlech” (1070); “Fynlai” was provost of Stirling in 1327. The modern surname has a number of forms, ranging from Finlay, Findlay, Finley and Findley, to Finlow and Findlow. In the Western Isle of Lewis, the fairies are called in Gaelic “Muinntir Fhionlaidh”, Finlay’s people. In Northumberland the name appears in 1609 as Phinley, one John Phinley marrying Isabell Simpson at St. Nicholas’ Church, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, whilst on May 30th 1699, Joh: Finlay married Doro: Watson at St. John’s Church, also in the City of Newcastle. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Andrew Fyndelai, Chaplain of Brechin, which was dated 1526, Register of the Church of Brechin, during the reign of King James V of Scotland, 1513 – 1542. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to “develop” often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

A friend pondering the entire guy who is no longer with us.
–

It was a privilege and honor to call Richard a friend. His distinction and greatness is simply unlike others. I hope he truly knew how much he did for me in his very unique ways. He restored my faith in humanity and in the possibilities of it making a new word. I am thankful for his allowing me to glimpse greatness. May he rest in peace,

-Southard Young

We will miss seeing him and saying hello on our walks. He took such beautiful care of your corner.

-Deb and Lanny Rollman

The day before my birthday was six months from when you left me. Joanne and all our friends had me out for lunch on my birthday. Marty placed flamingos in the yard and all types of signs commending my day. You are thought about and missed so many times every day. Everything in the house reminds me of you and actually comforts me. Yesterday I had a colonoscopy and there were no polyps so I won’t need another of these. After Maggie passed (in January) I followed through and purchased another Siamese cat from the same breeder we got Simon from. She now lives in Coral Gables Florida. He is so much company for me. I know you would be smiling so brightly if you could see him playfully running around or cuddling up to me in the chair in the sunroom or sleeping with me. He was born Christmas eve 2022, so in way he is another Christmas present from you. His name is Zel Richard Joseph Alexy. You smile could light up a room. I miss your reassurance that I will be ok from this bout of cancer I am now dealing with and begin treatment for next week. Still, I am glad you are not having to be stressed out worrying about me. I miss you. Everything I watch a Perry Mason I remember our little hand game.

–

Almost a year has passed. On September 23, 2022 our precious Simon was put to sleep after fighting valiently for two years after being poisoned by Gene Bishop. September 25 we hosted what was to be our last dinner party. It was clear that Richard was not on the top of his game, but he had perfected she-crab soup as an appetizer for our dinner. He was very proud. On September 27, what was to be his last day at work, he asked if I would mind driving us home. After Ervin told me Richard had looked so tired. In the early hours of September 29, we talked about how nice the dinner party had been and how much was looking forward to going to Savanah for Thanksgiving (as we had done for a number of years) and was making plans for going to the mountains that weekend (just him and me), and sadly said he could not believe he was never going to see our beautiful blue-eyed baby (Simon) again and mentioned getting a new one in the spring. He was supposed to see Dr. Siegel on October 3 for a full check-up, but he fell unconscious a short time later.

He was always making plans and kept me engaged. I miss him.

-Bob

It’s hard to believe you have been gone for 19 months. Every night when I watch an old Perry Mason episode, I look at your picture and do the old hand movements we used to make and kiss my right hand and touch my cheek as you used to do. You are sorely missed.

We are having trouble recruiting students and our enrollment is lower than it has ever been. Jim and I try but we are not you. You were such a natural and were able to make people feel they were the center of our school. So many clients and old students have asked about you.

I had a Kentucky Derby party on May 4th. You would have loved it. Most of our old friends were there. Of course you know that Sue Baxx died. Caroline has had some health issues and had a bad cold so she didn’t come Marty got the date confused. We all toasted to you like you did at our last dinner party when you toasted to Simon.

I miss seeing you every where. At home, at work, in our car, in the yard, outside, etc. I visit your final resting place every time I go to church. I remember your broad smile that lite up a room. I have survived prostate cancer, an endoscopy and cataract surgery and remember how you would assure me everything was gong to be ok. I look around at amazement at the beautiful home you created for us, discovering new things almost everyday.

I have worked on keeping the yard up and installed automatic watering devises to keep things watered. I sometimes sit out side on one of the rocking chairs and remember sitting there when you occasionally asked me to while you watered. I have flashbacks to when we first me and you stopped to fix my flat. I remember all the good times we had and wish you were here to share my experiences now. We were together 24/7 for so many years.

You would love our new cat, Zel Richard Joseph Alexy, same breeder you bought Simon for me in Greensborro. She has moved to Coral Gables Florida but Sam (remember niece who called and talked to me about getting a new cat when hers died; you commented on how sweet she sounded) helped me locate her. After Maggie (your night whore) died, I was free to bring a new kitten home. Maggie became so friendly to me her last four months. I so fondly remember that special trip to Greensborro when you took me to a Thai restaurant and we met Simon’s parents–he was delivered to us in a baby carriage. He immediately sat in your lap and rode in mine the whole way back to Greer.

So many memories. I miss you and only hope you knew how much you meant to me. We loved each other unconditionally.

Someday in the not too distant future we will meet up again. Until then I will keep you alive in my memories.

-Bob

Recently I spoke to a former AHT student who graduated from your nail program and now works at Crystal Valley Day Spa in North Travelers Rest where I have worked for the last eight years.

She informed me of the passing of Richard West on October 3, 2022. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I went to your web site and read the memoriam to him. I so enjoyed learning about his life and your relationship with him.

While a year has passed, I wish to send you my deepest condolences and pray that you are doing OK, I know Richard was an extra ordinary life partner and an amazing business associate who helped you build AHT throughout the years (22 in fact). How sad to know that you lost someone so dear. He is missed by your staff, students and friends.

Warmest thoughts and prayers are sent your way. Please take care.

-Alexandra “Alex” Zani

Two years and nine hours ago. You took last breath. My life will never be the same. You touched so many people in a positive way.

-Bob

At noon today, we would be once again heading on our way for our annual trip to Savannah. So many great memories. We were planning that trip in 2022, actually were planning on making motel reservations on Friday 9/30/22, but you collapsed at 1:00am and went to the hospital. As I rode into work today, I remembered the excitement we had knowing we would be on our way. I miss those days and so many more so much. You are in my heart but I would love to see your smile (which would light up a room) and hear your voice reassuring me that I was a MacElhiney and I would be ok. 48 years and three months seems like it flew past, never suspecting it would end. You were only 72.

-Bob

Today would have been your 75th birthday. I am soo glad that I bought you the watch you loved on your what was to be your last birthday (71st) on earth.

Almost your last words were about getting another blue-eyed baby in the Spring. After Maggie died in January, I was able to contact the house of Alexy. Zel Richard Joseph Alexy was born Christmas eve (12/24/22) and he moved in with me in March 2023.

He has been a real joy and I am sure you would love him as I do. I miss you and Simon and Maggie but he keeps me company. Thank you for thinking of me. He was and is a gift from you.