“Poet Richard Sommer taught poetry writing at Concordia University in Montreal. He has several slim volumes to his credit, the best known of which is Sky Blue Notebook. Much of his works is in the pared down style characterized by his friend, Gary Snyder, who was part of the 1950s San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat movement. Snyder provided the model for Japhy Ryder, the main character in Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums.

Both poets shared a devotion to Buddhist principles and a concern for the environment. More than 30 years ago, Richard and his wife, dancer Vicki Tansy, moved with their children to a property on Pinnacle mountain outside Frelighsburg in Quebec's Eastern Townships. In addition to his teaching duties, he long served as a volunteer game warden in the rural community.

In 2004, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Never one to waste an experience, over the course of the disease he wrote the poems in Cancer Songs (Signature Editions, April 2011.)

The poetry book came to the attention of Dr Balfour Mount, the pioneer in end-of-life care, who established the first palliative care unit at hte Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal in 1975. Dr Mount was so taken with the poems that he journeyed to meet the poet.

Richard died in February of this year. Cancer Songs, and the poet, were recognized at the 19th International Congress on Palliative Care held in Montreal October 9 to 12 where Dr Mount gave the closing address.”

— Portlin Cochise Doctor's Review