It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of our friend and colleague,on Tuesday the 14th September, following a heart attack sustained whilst out cycling over the weekend.
Ralph was an integral part of Rotherham Harriers for 60 years which included a period of approximately 30 years as club secretary.
Not only was Ralph club secretary but his brief was much wider.For example hours spent coaching, in particular hurdling and he was instrumental in the formative years of Olympian Chris Rawlinson.He was behind the Rotherham Borough Sports which one year featured Sebastian Coe,the half marathon of over 2500 runners a record for a midweek event.But perhaps his lasting legacy will be the creation of the Round Rotherham 50 mile event ,held yearly for the past 28 years and scheduled this year for 16th October with over 400 due to take part from all over the UK.
He watched the development and careers of Olympians Alan Simpson,Angela Creamer and Peter Elliott take shape.
In addition to all the athletic activity he played a major part in the formation of the South Yorkshire County Athletic Association which replaced the old district format of the Northern Counties.
But above all, his passion was competition and as recently as this summer he was busy organising an August Open track & field meeting, attracting some 200 competitors.
Ralph was an excellent raconteur, his humour and presence will be missed on club nights at Herringthorpe.
When I took over as club secretary in 2007 and the scale of the role was starting to sink in, I asked Ralph how long he had been secretary for; "over 29 years" he replied, I then asked how long he had been seeking a successor to take over as club secretary "over 28 years" came the answer.
Ralph's sad death leaves a huge hole in both Rotherham and South Yorkshire athletics,and the sport will be poorer for his passing.
Ralph leaves a wife Pat, daughter Kim and son Stephen.
Details of funeral arrangements are not yet available but will be communicated as soon as possible.