Several of us, students and me, received the news on Tuesday evening via email, courtesy of unofficial class organiser, Miguel P.
I imagine that we all stared at the information on our screens for a long time, not believing it, or not wanting to believe it.
As everyone knows, teachers don't have favourite students, but if we did have favourite students, he would definitely have been one of mine. He was an important part of class debates (as he often caused them...), he always had a vehement opinion on something, and he always had something to say or to ask. Sometimes I couldn't understand some of his questions, but I always tried to answer or explain, and then he would always say "that's right". :)
He was also a born entertainer, as his classmates would testify to, and those of you who attended the Students' Day presentations last April will remember his mini-play "Love", performed by himself (standing up) and Miguel P (sitting down).
I don't really know what more to say, as I only knew him as a student: two days a week plus the occasional email. But from my limited relationship with him, I can say that he was original and obviously genuine and good-hearted, and personally I was very fond of him.
From the reactions that I've seen and read about, it's clear that Ricardo was dearly loved by lots of people. The public homage to him by his "colla" of "castellers" was particularly moving.
In case you weren't able to be there, here's the video (in Catalan) taken by http://www.rtvelvendrell.cat/noticies/emotiu-comiat-al-casteller-ricard-montesinos
I know I'm not alone in saying that we'll miss him very much.
