Every community has people who quietly make it better just by being part of it. For DEV, Richard Pascoe was one of those people. His posts, his presence, and the way he engaged with others brought a sense of curiosity and kindness that’s harder to find than most people realize.
Richard didn’t just share knowledge — he showed up for others. He read people’s posts, left thoughtful comments, and encouraged discussions that helped the community grow. You could tell he genuinely cared about helping other developers, whether they were beginners or experienced contributors. That kind of steady, supportive presence is rare.
Sadly, Richard had step away because DEV became a distraction for him — and that choice deserves respect. It takes real self-awareness to recognize when something you enjoy is pulling too much of your focus. Even so, the community feels different without him. Quieter. Missing that familiar voice that liked to help, to read, and to comment.
This tribute is simply a way to acknowledge the impact he had in the short time he was here. For the encouragement he offered, the conversations he sparked, and the difference he made just by caring.
If Richard ever encouraged you, commented on your posts, or made your time on DEV a little better, feel free to leave a like or drop a comment below. It would be great to gather everyone’s memories in one place.
Richard's Final Message to Dev.to!
Credit to @dannwaneri on posting in his behalf!
Posted on behalf of Richard Pascoe, with his full permission and in his own words:
I originally stepped away from DEV because it had become too distracting for me in relation to managing my ADHD. At the same time, as a Trusted Member, I was voluntarily spending hours every single day moderating AI-generated slop, socially engineered cons, and outright spam. No one required me to do that; it was something I chose to take on because I cared deeply about the quality and integrity of the community. But that constant exposure and self-imposed responsibility were not sustainable for me, and stepping back was a decision grounded in protecting my focus and wellbeing.
The later decision to delete my account was separate. After the announcement that DEV was joining forces with MLH, I felt the platform was moving in a direction that did not align with my values. I joined DEV because of its open-source, community-driven ethos. I am strongly privacy-focused and have concerns about the broader pro-AI direction surrounding that shift. From my perspective, it is likely to accelerate the very issues that were already consuming so much time and energy.
This was not an angry decision, nor is it a criticism of the individuals who remain. I have a great deal of respect for the people I connected with and the moderators who continue to give their time. What made DEV special to me was the human element: the warmth in the comments, the thoughtful discussions, and the sense that real people were sharing real experiences rather than optimising for volume or visibility. That humanity is what set it apart from many other similar platforms. My concern is about direction and structure, not about the community members themselves.
Ultimately, I believe in being consistent with my principles and honest about my boundaries. When something no longer aligns with those, the most respectful thing I can do for myself and for others is to step away.
I genuinely wish the community well.
Richard.