A MAN who began a 60-year association with rowing after beginning as a teenage cox at Stourport Boat Club has died, aged 86.

Bob Pritchard, who was brought up in Kidderminster, was probably best known for his association with Worcester Rowing Club (WRC), although he was a local champion in at least five other sports, excelling in rifle shooting, hockey, athletics, archery and fencing.

He died suddenly at his home in St John’s, Worcester.

He rowed competitively for more than 60 years for WRC and served three terms as club captain, as well as holding roles as club chairman, regatta president and trustee.

His most successful achievement in the boat was securing a gold medal in the coxed fours during the World Veterans Championships in the 1980s.

“Bob Pritchard was a wonderful character who can never be replaced,” said rowing club president Bob Wooding, “He was one of the backbones of the club over a great many years and a great supporter and encourager of young rowers and coxes into the sport.

“He was also a formidable raconteur and his presence will be missed by everyone connected with rowing in Worcestershire.”

After war service in the Royal Artillery - during which he ran for his regiment - he returned to live in Worcester and later marry. He was a plumber by trade.

In 1948 Mr Pritchard joined Worcester Fencing Club and remained a competent competitor for more than 20 years. At the end of the 1940s, he became a full-back in the Worcester Redelians hockey team and played several successful seasons.

His shooting days, which had begun in the Home Guard, continued after the war with the Worcestershire Regiment’s Rifle Club, of which he remained a leading member until eye trouble called a halt to his shooting in the late 1980s. Mr Pritchard won dozens of trophies and represented Worcestershire at Bisley.

In 1961 he added archery to his sporting bow and became a member of Worcester Company of Archers, winning numerous trophies until rising costs in the equipment caused him to leave the sport.

Mr Pritchard’s wife Emily, to whom he was married for 65 years, died three years ago and the couple’s daughter Angela died only a week before her father. He left a son-in-law, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Monday at 11am.