My daughter searching on the beach in Costa Rica

[Richard Byrd Ray]

This is my oldest daughter detecting near Sir Francis Drake's hideout on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. She just found a Spanish 8 Reale, Cob type, one of many old coins found at this site. She is also my Master Diver, the youngest is my Dive Master. Confusing HUH?
Richard Byrd Ray

 

[Richard Byrd Ray]

n/t

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Congrats to her on the find

 

[Scaupus]

Fantastic!

 

[John(Tx)]

Been too many years, but if you are the same Richard, I haven't seen you since I was in the shop back in the late 70s'...HH

 

[Richard Byrd Ray]

Yeh, the same, but now in a wheelchair, had a stroke and also lost my wife and son... What is your real name?
RR

 

[TXPIRATE]

I for one am glad to know your still among the living. Your articles back in the 80's and 90's I enjoyed greatly.

 

[Richard Byrd Ray]

Thank you I really appreciate the fact that some people remember after so much time has passed... I am trying to put out a book that I just finished, telling about projects that were best kept secret until now.. LOL And many adventures... I'll also put up a website as soon as my daughter finishes it for her college project, I'll post the address when it's completed...
Richard Ray

 

[John(Tx)]

Sorry to hear about your family Richard, may God bless them. You still have your daughter, that is a blessing. My name is John Saldivar, I used to go into your shop on hwy 6 just west of town, you used to tell me stories about your machine and a big time manufacturer that did you wrong. I also used to go visit with Van Fossen who is not with us anymore, he sure did have alot of finds, more than I will ever find. I mostly water hunt, much easier to dig and better jewelry finds. Just getting a little too old to be bending and digging in this hard ground, we need rain really bad. I wish you the best Richard and may God bless, take care. John

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[rbholt80]

wow my granddad new old van. i was kid back in the 80,s so i don't remember who all he detected with and knew but van is a name i remember. i live out in Dayton. my granddad hunted Galveston Texas city and Livingston mostly. ok ill but out thanks for a lost memory being found by a name dropped in a forum.

 

[Richard Byrd Ray]

Thanks John, nice to be remembered and yes I knew Van for many years, met him years before opening my own shop. In fact, I visited him in Veteran's Hospital just before he passed away. And yes, I harbored bad feelings after designing a couple machines for a major manufacturer, I thought we had a contract but they took my designs anyway.. But all things pass. I now live on my residuals from my other detector designs.. Today I still see several detectors and features that are an effort of my group, after all these years.. .We developed several "first" in the detector business...
Richard Ray

 

[John(Tx)]

Glad to help you out with some memories, in this hobby nobody butts in, we're just one big happy family, detecting is the best hobby anywhere. HH