Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award
The CCBC is honoured take over the administration of the Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award. This award, named in memory of the late Richard Chase, a former teacher-librarian from Lethbridge, Alberta, is awarded annually with a cash prize of $2,500 to a Canadian children’s title written for an elementary school-aged audience in Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) exemplifying Richard’s guiding principles of compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity, and connection to the land.
The award was first established in 2022 by the board of the Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA) in recognition of Richard’s contributions to Canadian children’s literature and his compassion, patience, and love for all who crossed his path. Richard, along with his wife Alice, spent their teaching careers at Lakeview Elementary School, in Lethbridge, Alberta, whose library now bears Richard’s name. As a founding member of the Lethbridge Children’s Literature Roundtable and the RMBA, and through his work with the CCBC’s Canadian Children’s Book Week, Richard’s name became synonymous with the promotion of exemplary Canadian children’s literature.
Wishing to keep his flame burning, committed to creating, fostering and celebrating his life through the creation of the Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award, the board of the RMBA and Richard’s wife Alice pledge to make this a national award.
Not many men could be called beautiful, and yet, this is who Richard was. His whole being seemed to be in service to others; especially children and youth. Literacy was not a word in Richard’s life; it was an action and a way of interacting with others to enrich their lives. His unpresuming nature, his wealth of knowledge about books and authors, his often dry and incredible wit, his kindness and his willingness to do what needed to be done (mostly in the background), and his wisdom were so appreciated. You are missed, Richard! —JoAnn St. John (former RMBA committee member and Best Books for Kids & Teens book reviewer)