Neil H K Smith
The following was published on the Rowing Australia website 26th July 2019.
The rowing community of WA today mourns the passing of one of its great characters and a stalwart of the sport, Neil H K Smith, and expresses its deep condolences to Neil’s family, and to his colleagues and crew mates at ANA Rowing Club.
Neil suffered a heart attack whilst rowing late on Thursaday 25th July 2019 and was unable to be revived.
Neil was a huge contributor to the ANA Rowing Club, being one of its longest serving committee members and dedicating many hours to maintaining the club’s boat fleet.
Neil was also a passionate and active Director on the Board of Rowing WA, with special responsibility for regattas. He contributed generously in time and energy to the Board, and his enduring legacy will be improvements to the regatta calendar and program which he drove doggedly through the Competitions and Regatta Committees for 3 years, as well as his passion for all schools participation.
Neil gave so much, but had so much more to give. The loss to WA Rowing is profound, as we mourn the passing of a crew mate, colleague, and provocateur.
David Rose
Rowing WA President