The Kingston rowing community has lost an inspirational figure, following the death of Richard Offer, 97, on Febuary 7, writes Hollye Blades.

Known to his friends and family as Dick, the former President of the Kingston Rowing Club was born in 1911.

His grandfather was a boatbuilder who, based in Kingston and then Hampton Wick, built one of Queen Victoria's royal barges. His mother was a founder of Kingston Ladies Swimming Club.

Dick grew up by the Thames in Kingston, but spent most of his time on it.

He began rowing while a pupil at Tiffin School, but did not join Kingston Rowing Club until 1929, after leaving the school and being nominated by his two older brothers, Tom and Jack, who were already members.

An all-round sportsman and keen sailor, Dick also played rugby for Old Tiffinians in the winter months and was a member of the Royal Canoe Club.

In 1938, Dick and his brother Jack were selected for the British Empire Games in Sydney, and Dick had to take unpaid leave from his job at an insurance company in the City for months to be able to compete.

According to his daughter Wendy, he often talked about the difficulties in maintaining training during the six-week sea voyage over to Australia.

Indeed, it was often said Dick rowed best when with elder brother Jack, and the pair won the prestigious Silver Goblets at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1936.

On the day before war was declared in 1939, Dick married "Mac", who thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Henley and keenly supported Dick in his rowing. They went on to have three daughters.

During World War II, Dick became a volunteer fire-watcher on the river in London before joining the Royal Navy, playing a significant role on D-Day as commander of a tank landing-ship.

Dick continued to row after the war, returning to Kingston Rowing Club, which was struggling after losing many of its members in the war.

According to his family, Dick used to talk proudly of two members and friends in particular who were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

When Dick eventually gave up his oars in the 1950s, he began coaching instead. However, he frequently found himself stepping into Kingston Rowing Club crews at the last minute.

He then started coaching at Tiffin School, leading the young crew to huge success at Henley and other regattas.

Dick has served Kingston Rowing Club for many years and will be sadly missed by family and friends.