This article is about the character from the Netflix series. You may be looking for Richard Fox, the character from the graphic novels.
Richard Fox is the adoptive father and guardian of Gus, who affectionately refers to him as Pubba.
Biography[]
Meeting Birdie[]
Before the Great Crumble, Richard was a janitor at Fort Smith Labs in Goss Grove, Colorado. One day, Richard bumped into Birdie in a bar, and the two recognised each other from work. The two talked all night and Richard eventually went back to Birdie's house, and the two almost kissed. They were interrupted, however, by a phone call informing Birdie that a military raid was planned on Fort Smith Labs. Birdie panicked, given she had no keys for the lab, but Richard offered to take her and let her in with his keys.
Entering the lab, Birdie showed Richard her greatest creation, Genetic Unit System 1, a hybrid baby created from experimentation with microorganisms; Birdie remarked that this creation accidentally coincided with the Sick, and the two were both sides of the same coin. Birdie was insistent on getting Gus out of the lab, and handed him to Richard to keep safe. She told him she had to return to collect her research from the lab, as in the wrong hands, it had the potential to kill millions.[1]
Raising Gus[]
After being entrusted with Gus's life, Richard raised him in the forests of Wyoming for the next 10 years. Despite his initial misgivings about raising a baby, Richard was a loving father to Gus and created a happy life for the two of them. He always made sure to celebrate Gus's birthday and created toys and books for him, including a dog made out of his own socks. Gus proudly named it "Dog" and would go on to carry it with him throughout all of his adventures.
Richard was constantly worried that Gus would be found by the Last Men and took many precautions to avoid being discovered. He secured the fence around their compound and gave strict instructions to Gus never to go outside of it. He also taught Gus a plan for how to handle potential dangers and reviewed it with him regularly: "If I hear a growl, I will duck. If I hear a voice, I will run. If I see a human, I will hide." He created a hiding place under the stairs for Gus in the event that they should be discovered. Eventually, in spite of all his precautions, Richard and Gus were found by a member of the Last Men, and Richard was infected with the H5G9 virus. He died shortly after, and Gus was left to fend for himself in the wilderness.
Personality[]
Richard is naturally somewhat shy and socially awkward. He observed Birdie during his work at the lab but never worked up the nerve to speak to her until their encounter at the bar, and he initially struggled to interact with her there. However, as they began to uncover common interests, Richard relaxed and was able to be himself, revealing a person who is kind, thoughtful, and very deep.
Though some underestimate him due to his janitorial work, Richard is very intelligent, able to converse comfortably with Birdie on microbes and other scientific concepts. He is a skilled repairman, and after relocating with Gus to the woods, he puts his mechanical knowledge to good use inventing ways to improve their lives, such as creating a watermill from an old wheel. His creative side also comes out in writing and illustrating his own versions of classic children's books for Gus to read, such as The Velveteen Rabbit and Tom Sawyer.
Trivia[]
- Richard is a fan of the Grateful Dead, and his favorite song is "Friend of the Devil."
- In third grade, Richard wanted to be a leaf. He created a presentation for his class and even wore green.