It was with great sadness that we heard of the death on 26th February of Bernard Churcher.
Bernard was an omnipresent figure in the rowing scene on the Thames for many years. He was a member of Ibis Rowing Club, and was Treasurer of the Head of the River Race from 1970 to 1997. For 25 of those years (from 1973 to 1997) the Secretary of the race was Bernard's wife Pauline, to whom our heartfelt sympathy goes at this sad time. In one of the articles published at the time that Pauline & Bernard retired from all these years of service to the Head it was reported that Bernard spent ten years as a regatta secretary, six years as a club captain, twenty-five years as an umpire, and six years as an ARA Divisional Representative. He also presided over the Thames Regional Rowing Council.
He had rowed for Ibis in the Thames Cup in 1949, Wyfold in1950, Thames & Wyfold in 1951, & Wyfold again in 1956.
This picture of Bernard at HRR (entitled "Grand Leander Club Man" ) was included by Liza Osta in her collection of photos of scenes up & down the River Thames. It must have been a Wednesday at the Regatta, as in the photo Bernard was wearing the tie of the World Rowing Championships of 1986, where Bernard was a member of Pauline's team in the "printing works", which none of us who worked in that team will ever forget!
Bernard will be sadly missed by his many friends in the rowing world.
The funeral was at Mortlake Crematorium on Thursday 8th March
at 2 p.m. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to
the Royal Star & Garter Home c/o Holmes & Daughters - 020 8392 1012.
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