Once again the club must record the death of a long standing and valued member, Richard Chaplin.
Richard learned to row at the King’s School Chester where he rowed in the first Vlll and competed
in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley; on leaving school he joined Royal Chester Rowing Club and rowed in the 1963 Vlll which won at several Provincial Regattas and competed in the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley.
After a period in the Merchant Navy a career with HMRC then took him to the south of England where he rowed for a number of years with Marlow RC before returning to the Chester Area as a VAT Specialist Officer. He returned to RCRC and rowed in many successful Masters crews which won both locally and at the National Masters Championships at Nottingham.
In his later years he continued to row regularly in a less competitive Masters crew whilst also serving as the Club’s Treasurer for a number of years when the club’s membership grew considerably.
Sadly a problem with his wrist and latterly cancer meant that he was unable to continue rowing although until very recently he regularly met with his former crew for an after outing coffee.
The funeral is on Fridaty 10th February, 11am at St Andrews Church, Tarvin followed by Vale Royal crematorium at 12.00 where all are welcome. Those who elect to stay behind can go straight to Tarvin Methodist Hall, where they will serve tea/coffee initially and then break open the food around 12.30pm shortly before the family are expected back from the crematorium around 12.45pm. (The address of the Methodist Hall is 38 High Street, Tarvin, CH3 8EE.)