It is with great sadness that Tetra Tech Coffey announces that Dr Sarah Richards, a gifted Geoenvironmental engineer, and industry expert recently passed away in Melbourne following a short illness.
Joining Tetra Tech Coffey in 2003, Sarah held many roles; most recently Site Assessment and Remediation Head of Practice and Senior Principal Geoenvironmental Engineer. Widely acknowledged as an industry expert in Australia in many fields, her depth and breadth of PFAS knowledge was also sought after globally.
Sarah held the role of President of the Australasian Land and Groundwater Association from (2021-2023) and was instrumental in developing many of the industry training modules for the Australian Contaminated Land Association.
Sarah also actively encouraged and supported the careers of many. Her dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, technical excellence, quality, innovation, and the development of others set her apart not only as an industry leader but also as a mentor, and highly valued member of our team.
Her clients and colleagues truly appreciated her technical excellence and judgement, as well as her quick and dry wit, and fondness for very strong coffee.
Sarah’s achievements and the way she held us all to account to such high standards will continue to inspire us at Tetra Tech Coffey, and we will continue to remember and celebrate her in the years ahead.
Our sincerest condolences go out to Newell, Jacqueline, David, Will, and all of Sarah’s family and friends.