By Liz Fowler

A MEARNS teenager who was a popular and well known figure in Laurencekirk has died after losing a long battle with cancer.

Richard Fowler (18), known as Titch, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer when he was 15.

Despite undergoing major surgery on several occasions and having a leg amputated he fought on bravely, determined to live as normal and active a life as possible.

“He was mad keen on cars, learned to drive and passed his test first time and even continued riding his scrambler bike,” said his mother Beverley.

He also visited his father Michael in Germany and enjoyed a holiday in the sun in the Canaries.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster these past years,” said his mother.

“But Richard always rallied even though he was critically ill in March with septicaemia.

“He was my star. He had such bravery and courage and fought 100% to stay in this world as long as he did.

“He would never discuss his funeral. He was determined to see his 18th birthday, and was given a surprise party.

“He was more worried about me than himself. His thoughts were always of other people.”

His elder brother Michael (20), who now lives in England, added, “He was precious and precious things are never forgotten.”

Richard was born in Falkirk but the family moved to Inverbervie on the Mearns coast when he was two.

He attended Gourdon Primary, where he played football for the school team, then Mearns Academy in Laurencekirk where he soon became known for his love of cars, skateboarding, BMX bikes and scramblers.

The devastating news of Richard’s illness was delivered in December 2005 after a visit to Germany.

“He had complained of a pain in his leg but first we thought he had perhaps suffered a knock when he was out on the bike,” said Beverley, who kept diaries to help her cope.

However, a tumour on his leg was confirmed after further investigation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.

“He started a course of chemotherapy but that failed to shrink the tumour and surgery followed to remove it.

“He didn’t want to lose his leg so they tried using muscle from the back of the leg to fill the hole left. That only lasted a matter of days when his leg rejected the implant.

“They then tried muscle from his back but that also failed, and there was no choice but amputation and more chemotherapy.”

Fitted with a prosthetic leg the gritty teenager learned to walk again, bought a new scrambler bike and was soon riding again.

Sadly due to the disruption in his education, he felt compelled to leave school at 16 but soon found a job at a local call centre.

“He did all the normal teenage things,” said his mother.

“We thought he had beaten the cancer.”

Last December Richard (pictured) began to suffer pain in his back and had difficulty walking. At first it was thought to be a trapped nerve but the diagnosis of more tumours all over his body was made a week before Christmas.

He died at home on Wednesday surrounded by his family.

A celebration of his life will be held today at Bervie Parish Church, Inverbervie.